A non-experimental study to evaluate STD risk factors among juvenile offenders was conducted by Dembo et al. (2009). The main purpose of the study was to assess racial and gender differences in STD infection among adolescent offenders. The independent variables were race, STD test result, and Race × STD test result interaction. On the other hand, the dependent variables were individual-level factors (e.g., age, offense history (i.e. current charge level, prior arrests, age of first arrest, and days in secure custody), and substance use (marijuana and cocaine test results)) and community-level factors (e.g., community disadvantage, ethnic heterogeneity, family disruption on STD status, Hispanic, and less than high school education). The study
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Moreover, youths who were detained on more serious charges and placed in secure custody were considerably more likely to be STD positive, than youths arrested on less serious (misdemeanor, diversion eligible) charges and placed in non-secure home detention (Dembo et al., 2009). Also, youths who were tested positive for marijuana or for cocaine use had much higher STD positive rates, than youths who were tested negative for those drugs (Dembo et al., 2009). Additionally, race and STD status interaction was found only for male youth offenders (Dembo et al., 2009). The results also demonstrate that community-level differences may account for race and STD status interaction, while no significant individual-level differences were found (Dembo et al., 2009). The findings show that African-American males who are STD-positive were more likely to live in areas categorized by concentrated disadvantage (Dembo et al., …show more content…
One limitation was that a 6-year gap between the community-level and individual-level characteristics occurred because the data were gathered in the 2000 census. Also, selection bias was a threat to internal validity, because participants volunteered to be a part of the study. Hence, participants who volunteered may be significantly different from those who did not volunteered. Likewise, the data were collected at only one facility, and thus this limits the generalizability of the findings to other juvenile facilities in other locations serving different populations of juvenile offenders. Also, selection treatment interaction was a threat to external validity, because the researchers did not use random assignment in the study design. In addition, given that the study used a cross-sectional survey design to examine the sequence of risk factors for STD status, no causal statements about any of the relationships can be made. For instance, even though the findings showed that STD-positive African-American males were more likely to live in areas categorized by concentrated disadvantage, it is possible that this population may have less access to testing and treatment services. Therefore, the results do not necessarily mean that young African-American males are engaging in higher levels of
Moreover, youths who were detained on more serious charges and placed in secure custody were considerably more likely to be STD positive, than youths arrested on less serious (misdemeanor, diversion eligible) charges and placed in non-secure home detention (Dembo et al., 2009). Also, youths who were tested positive for marijuana or for cocaine use had much higher STD positive rates, than youths who were tested negative for those drugs (Dembo et al., 2009). Additionally, race and STD status interaction was found only for male youth offenders (Dembo et al., 2009). The results also demonstrate that community-level differences may account for race and STD status interaction, while no significant individual-level differences were found (Dembo et al., 2009). The findings show that African-American males who are STD-positive were more likely to live in areas categorized by concentrated disadvantage (Dembo et al., …show more content…
One limitation was that a 6-year gap between the community-level and individual-level characteristics occurred because the data were gathered in the 2000 census. Also, selection bias was a threat to internal validity, because participants volunteered to be a part of the study. Hence, participants who volunteered may be significantly different from those who did not volunteered. Likewise, the data were collected at only one facility, and thus this limits the generalizability of the findings to other juvenile facilities in other locations serving different populations of juvenile offenders. Also, selection treatment interaction was a threat to external validity, because the researchers did not use random assignment in the study design. In addition, given that the study used a cross-sectional survey design to examine the sequence of risk factors for STD status, no causal statements about any of the relationships can be made. For instance, even though the findings showed that STD-positive African-American males were more likely to live in areas categorized by concentrated disadvantage, it is possible that this population may have less access to testing and treatment services. Therefore, the results do not necessarily mean that young African-American males are engaging in higher levels of