ORCID
0009-0006-2188-8733
Keywords
Criminal justice system, parental incarceration, vicarious police stops, adolescents, substance use, health outcomes
Subject Categories
Social Psychology and Interaction | Sociology
Abstract
Criminal justice system (CJS) contact remains a pervasive feature of social life in the United States, with both direct and indirect consequences for adolescents and their families. Although previous research has explored the consequences of direct CJS contact, less is known about how indirect or vicarious contact affects adolescents’ well-being and substance use. Drawing on data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), this study investigates the association between parental incarceration and vicarious police stops, defined as police stops involving parents, siblings, friends, neighbors, or other social ties, and adolescent well-being. Findings indicate that CJS contact is differentially associated with adolescents’ substance use depending on the type and proximity of contact. Vicarious police stops within proximal social networks, such as friends and siblings, are associated with a higher likelihood of substance use, whereas parental incarceration shows more limited associations. These findings underscore the importance of considering indirect and relational forms of CJS contact in shaping adolescents’ behavioral outcomes. By extending the conceptualization of CJS contact beyond direct experiences, this study highlights the broader social context in which CJS contact influences youth well-being.
Completion Date
2026
Semester
Summer
Committee Chair
Ford, Jason
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Sociology
Format
Document Type
Dissertation
Language
English
STARS Citation
Karaaslan, Fadime Gokce, "The Impact of Criminal Justice System Contact on Adolescents in the U.S.: Prescription Drug Misuse, Marijuana Use, Health Outcomes, and Demographic Characteristics" (2026). Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026. 287.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/gradstudies_etd_2026/287
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