Family Belonging and Internalizing Symptoms among Youth Involved with the Juvenile Justice System
| Author | Katie J. Stone,Jonathan L. Poquiz,Paula J. Fite,Casey A. Pederson |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/14732254221096554 |
| Published date | 01 April 2023 |
| Date | 01 April 2023 |
| Subject Matter | Original Articles |
https://doi.org/10.1177/14732254221096554
Youth Justice
2023, Vol. 23(1) 117 –132
© The Author(s) 2022
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DOI: 10.1177/14732254221096554
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Family Belonging and Internalizing
Symptoms among Youth Involved
with the Juvenile Justice System
Katie J. Stone , Jonathan L. Poquiz,
Paula J. Fite and Casey A. Pederson
Abstract
Detained youth are at an increased risk of developing internalizing symptoms. Belongingness theory suggests
that youth’s perception of belonging within their family may further elucidate this risk. In addition, alexithymia
may explicate symptoms, yet these constructs have yet to be evaluated in detained youth. The present study
examined the interaction between alexithymia and family belonging on depression and anxiety symptoms of
94 youth in a juvenile detention facility. Results suggest that lack of family belonging and high alexithymia are
independently associated with greater internalizing symptoms. Findings indicated a need for interventions
targeting family belonging and emotion regulation to address internalizing problems for youth.
Keywords
alexithymia, anxiety, depression, family belonging, juvenile justice
Youth involved with the juvenile justice system are at an increased risk of developing
mental health problems (Fazel et al., 2008; Hein et al., 2017), particularly internalizing
symptoms (Teplin et al., 2002). While literature examining delinquency and externaliz-
ing problems of youth in juvenile detention centers is relatively extensive (Docherty
et al., 2016; Salbach-Andrae et al., 2009), research on the development of internalizing
symptoms within this marginalized population is scarce. Yet, literature suggests that over
20 per cent of youth in juvenile detention centers exhibit internalizing problems (Teplin
et al., 2002) and over 40 per cent of detained youth endorse comorbid internalizing and
externalizing symptoms (Chappell and Maggard, 2020; Goldstein et al., 2003; Mallett,
2014). Recent research suggests a bidirectional association between internalizing symp-
toms and youth engagement in delinquent and offending behaviors (Jolliffe et al., 2019;
Kofler et al., 2011). However, it is unclear whether perceptions of family belonging and
Corresponding author:
Katie J. Stone, Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience, Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, University of Minnesota
Medical School, 717 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA.
Email: Hoemb003@umn.edu
1096554YJJ0010.1177/14732254221096554Youth JusticeStone et al.
research-article2022
Original Article
118 Youth Justice 23(1)
difficulties with emotion processing (e.g. alexithymia) may also be influencing youth’s
anxiety and depression symptoms.
Consistent with Bronfenbrenner’s developmental-ecological theory, family environ-
ment and parent–adolescent interactions at the microsystem may influence adolescent
maladaptive behaviors (Wasserman et al., 2003). Recent work has examined the influence
of family belonging on well-being during adolescence, such that higher levels of family
belonging are related to lower levels of delinquency and depression symptoms (King
et al., 2018). While these findings come from a nationally representative sample of ado-
lescents, little is known about the role of family belonging on internalizing symptoms in
a sample of youth involved in the juvenile justice system. In addition, difficulties with
processing emotions, namely alexithymia, have been associated with internalizing symp-
toms among juvenile offenders (Stone et al., 2021). Thus, the present study aimed to build
on previous work by evaluating how family belongingness is associated with internalizing
symptoms (i.e. anxiety and depression) and examined the moderating role of alexithymia
on these associations among youth detained in a juvenile detention center.
Conceptual framework
According to Baumeister and Leary’s (1995) belongingness theory, humans are evolu-
tionarily motivated to find belongingness in social groups to survive, and an inability
to meet this need results in loneliness, mental distress, and a strong desire to form new
relationships. Belongingness is defined as ‘a pervasive drive to form and maintain at
least a minimum quantity of lasting, positive, and significant interpersonal relation-
ships’ (Baumeister and Leary, 1995; pp. 497). While there are individual differences in
the degree of motivation to belong, Newman et al. (2007) found that a lack of belong-
ing and exclusion from a group may be perceived as painful and have a variety of nega-
tive effects including, shame, anger, and depression. Although previous work suggests
that adolescents’ sense of belonging within their family is significantly associated with
self-esteem, aggressive actions, and antisocial behavior (Chubb and Fertman, 1992),
family belongingness has not been examined in a sample of detained youth who may
be particularly susceptible to rejection from family members given their offending
behaviors. Instead, extant literature on youth in the juvenile justice system has primar-
ily focused on perceptions of belonging within a delinquent peer group as a potential
risk factor for subsequent externalizing and internalizing symptoms (Fite et al., 2006;
Mrug et al., 2004).
Belongingness theory also relates to Joiner’s (2005) interpersonal psychology theory,
which suggests that individuals die by suicide due to experiencing a lack of belonging and
perceived burdensomeness. Within this framework, lack of belongingness and perceived
burdensomeness have been found to be associated with depression and suicidal ideation
among college students (Ploskonka and Servaty-Seib, 2015), as well as suicidal behaviors
among adolescents (Smith et al., 2012). Although distinct constructs, suicidal behaviors
have been considered an allegory for depressive symptoms (Nanayakkara et al., 2013).
Adolescence is a critical developmental period marked with new challenges to renego-
tiate, create, and maintain relationships, form identities, and develop a sense of self (Kelly
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