How Justice System Contact, Race, and Gender Intersect: Examining Their Short- and Long-Term Associations with Mental Health, Educational, and Occupational Outcomes

This study utilizes intersectionality, life-course perspective, and cumulative disadvantage theory to examine the association between criminal justice system contact (JSC) on short- and long-term mental health, educational, and occupational outcomes, exploring how these associations vary by race (Black, Hispanic, White) and gender (Women, Men). Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 were analyzed using multilevel modeling techniques, controlling for socio-economic status, family background, and youth issues. Short-term associations were examined through lagged regression models, predicting outcomes one year later based on the status of JSC and race in a given year. Long-term associations were explored via growth curve models, tracing age-related trajectories of outcomes from early adulthood and analyzing differences by justice system involvement during adolescence, race, and gender. The findings reveal long-term disparities, particularly for Black males and females who experienced correctional interventions during adolescence, who faced significant disadvantages in young adulthood. These individuals exhibited markedly slower progress in educational and salary outcomes compared to White males without JSC, who showed faster salary growth and higher educational achievements. Surprisingly, justice system involvement during adolescence did not consistently predict changes in mental health, education, or occupational outcomes a year later. Caution is advised against prematurely concluding that justice system involvement has no short-term impact. The discussion section includes both model-based analyses and contextualization of findings in relation to broader systemic forces. The former addresses the interpretations, implications, and limitations of the results based on the models. The latter extends the discussion to broader systemic and societal factors—such as classism, racism, ableism, and gender oppression—that intersect to perpetuate the disadvantages faced by justice-involved individuals. These dual approaches provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges encountered by these individuals.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D. Psychology

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Faculty of Social Sciences

Department dc:contributor.department

Department of Psychology

Grantor

Brock University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Xia, Xiaoyang

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Shulman, Elizabeth

• SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Psychology
• SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Criminology
• SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Sociology

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10464/19275

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:brocku.scholaris.ca:10464/19275