an examination of Sexual abuse and Suicide ideation in Delinquent females in the texas Juvenile Justice System

The Center for Disease Control (2009) reports that suicide is the second leading cause of death among people between the ages of 15 to 24 in the United States. This research examines the strength of suicidal ideation among a cohort of delinquent girls in Texas. This study examined 2004 data provided by the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission on referrals to the juvenile justice system in Texas (N=6,850). Variables such as race, age and family structure were also examined to determine the strength and effect that sexual abuse has on a juvenile becoming suicidal. The results revealed that family structure, race and sexual abuse have a moderate effect on suicidal thoughts among females in the juvenile justice system. Implications for practice are further explained.