PTSD and PTSD-Linked Victimization Sensitivity as Risk Factors for Alcohol Use among Juvenile Offenders: A Group-Based Trajectory Modeling Approach

Research has indicated that post-traumatic stress disorder is linked to heightened levels of alcohol use. Sensitivity to strain may increase alcohol use as a coping strategy among this population. Using the Pathways to Desistance dataset, this research examines these effects among juvenile offenders and the experience of victimization as strain. Results indicated a near tripling of the relative risk of assignment to the high alcohol use group if one had ever met clinical criteria for the disorder at baseline. There was a significant interaction between ever meeting clinical criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder and experiencing victimization during an observation period.