Research from many disciplines, including sociology, psychology, criminology, and social work, has examined the effects of stressors or risk factors and supports or protective factors on negative outcomes such as mental health problems and delinquent behavior. Drawing on these multiple literatures, this study examines relationships among stressors (experiences of abuse and other negative life events), support provided by family and friends, and depressive symptoms, as mediated by negative coping behaviors, for girls involved or at risk of involvement with juvenile justice. Data were obtained from surveys of 186 girls in juvenile justice and alternative programs. Analyses using structural equation modeling revealed that girls' experiences of physical and emotional abuse and other negative life events, partially mediated by their use of withdrawal and acting out coping strategies, predicted high levels of depressive symptoms, whereas family support was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms.
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