The kids aren’t alright: School attachment, depressive symptoms, and gun carrying at school

Citation

Watts, Stephen J.; Province, Karli; & Toohy, Kayla (2018). The kids aren’t alright: School attachment, depressive symptoms, and gun carrying at school. American Journal of Criminal Justice. vol. 44 (1) pp. 146-165

Abstract

Social science has frequently examined the relationships between school environment and delinquency, mental health and delinquency, and school environment and mental health. However, little to no research to date has examined the interrelationship between these variables simultaneously, especially at it relates specifically to delinquent acts committed at school. The current study uses data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) to look at the interrelationship between these variables. What is found in this data is that the relationship between negative mental health states and delinquency at school, specifically measured as depressive symptoms and gun carrying at school, respectively, is possibly a spurious one, wherein both of these variables are partly shaped by school attachment, which accounts for their correlation. Implications for theory and policy are discussed.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-018-9438-6

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

American Journal of Criminal Justice

Author(s)

Watts, Stephen J.
Province, Karli
Toohy, Kayla

Year Published

2018

Volume Number

44

Issue Number

1

Pages

146-165

Edition

April 5, 2018

ISSN/ISBN

1936-1351

DOI

10.1007/s12103-018-9438-6

Reference ID

7400