The relationship between justice system non-involvement and the social and emotional wellbeing of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Abstract

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are highly overrepresented within the Australian justice system. Despite an increase in research and policies, it is still unclear which interventions, programs and policies are most effective. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between the Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) of Aboriginal young people and justice system non-involvement from a strengths-based perspective. The sample consisted of 725 Aboriginal adolescents aged 10–15 years who completed The Next Generation Project’s Youth Well-Being Study survey. Logistic regression was conducted to assess the SEWB factors associated with justice system non-involvement. It was found that self-rated good health, positive scores on the Prosocial Scale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and younger age were significant predictors of justice system non-involvement. Policies and programs focusing on systems level approaches to support wellbeing in young Aboriginal people are likely to be beneficial.