Psychosocial Problems Among Truant Youth: A Multi-Group, Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Psychology
• Developmental Psychopathology
• Behavioral Sciences

Background:

• Truant youth are a vulnerable population requiring specialized research and services.
• Previous studies often examined isolated problem areas, neglecting the interconnectedness of psychosocial issues in truant adolescents.
• A comprehensive understanding of co-occurring problems is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interrelationships among multiple psychosocial functioning domains in truant youth.
• To identify underlying factor structures of psychosocial problems in this population.
• To examine the generalizability of these structures across sociodemographic subgroups.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) was employed.
• Baseline data from 219 truant youths were analyzed.
• The study examined substance involvement, mental health status, and delinquency.

Main Results:

• Two major factors representing psychosocial functioning were identified among truant youth.
• The identified factor structure demonstrated similarity across key sociodemographic groups.
• Further analyses confirmed the validity of the proposed factor structure.

Conclusions:

• The findings highlight the complex, interconnected nature of psychosocial problems in truant youth.
• The identified factor structure provides a framework for understanding and addressing co-occurring issues.
• Implications for research and service delivery strategies are discussed, emphasizing a holistic approach.