CDIS Researchers examined the differences in sexual and mental health of justice-involved youth across gender and sexual orientation. The sample included 347 probation-involved youth recruited as part of PHAT Life, an HIV/STI, mental health, and substance use prevention program. The findings showed that, female and non-heterosexual youth were less likely than male and heterosexual youth to report having ever had sex and to be considered high sexual risk; female youth were more likely than male youth to test positive for STIs and to report certain mental health problems, but non-heterosexual youth showed no difference from heterosexual youth; and female non-heterosexual youth were more likely to report externalizing problems than youth of other gender and sexual orientation combinations.
Hsu KJ, Walden AL, Kendall AD, Snow-Hill NL, Emerson EM, Donenberg GR. Comparing the Sexual and Mental Health of Justice-involved Youth Across Gender and Sexual Orientation. Criminal Justice Review. 2022 Feb 14. doi:10.1177/07340168221078343.