Criminogenic Need Profiles Among Substance-Using Justice-Involved Youth

The relationship between juvenile offending and substance use is well-documented. Understanding this relationship in the context of other criminogenic needs could lead to more effective treatment programming, in an effort to reduce future justice system involvement. This study retrospectively classified 276 substance-using youth in the justice system into unique profiles based on the nature and severity of self-reported substance use and criminogenic needs. We tested competing latent profile analysis (LPA) models with a variable number of profiles. A four-profile model was optimal and included: (a) clinical drug and alcohol use with high criminogenic needs; (b) borderline-clinical drug use with low criminogenic needs; (c) clinical drug use with high criminogenic needs; and (d) clinical drug use with low to moderate criminogenic needs. Profiles demonstrated unique patterns of demographic and clinical factors, index offense, and rates of recidivism. Clinical implications for justice-involved youth with substance abuse are discussed, particularly related to treatment needs/services.