Quantitative studies have shown that anti-bisexual, gay, and lesbian (BGL) hate crimes have greater psychological impact on BGL victims than do non-hate-motivated crimes of similar severity (Herek, Gillis, & Cogan, 1999), contribute to psychological distress in BGL people (Mays & Cochran, 2001; Meyer, 1995), and can cause BGL people to remain closeted (D'Augelli, 1992; Pilkington & D'Augelli, 1995). The present study explores the possible mechanisms and sources of the greater impact of hate crimes on BGL victims. In this qualitative research, I investigated the psychological effects of anti-BGL hate crimes through in-depth interviews with 10 BGL people who perceived that they were victims of hate crimes based on sexual orientation bias. Interviewees were 4 lesbian women, 2 bisexual women, and 4 gay men, and 9 of the 10 were White. They ranged in age from 20 to 50 and represented a wide range of degree of sexual orientation disclosure. Each participated in one or two interviews of one to two hours, which were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically, using qualitative analysis software (NVivo) that facilitated coding and sorting of data. Victimization experiences included violent crimes (3), harassment at work and school (2), harassment in the neighborhood (2), and multiple incidents of harassment (3). Results are 10 case studies that elucidate the effects that hate crimes had within the context of each individual's life and history. Each case study presents the participant's coming-out history, and previous traumatic and bias-related experiences, as well as hate-crime experience(s) and perceived sequelae. Three case studies also include accounts of relevant judicial proceedings, and two include reviews of results by the participants. Findings within and across cases are discussed, as well as strengths and limitations of the study and implications for future research. Results suggest factors that may contribute to the relatively more severe psychological impact of hate crimes, including: lesser availability of family support; disruption of BGL identity and coming out processes; intrusion into romantic relationships; damaged expectations of how one will be viewed and treated as a BGL person in the world; a generalized sense of anger about the victimization; and secondary victimization.

This study examined patterns of comorbidity in 232 girls in state-operated juvenile justice facilities. It was hypothesized that the more depression and/or anxiety a girl reported, the more substance use, family discord, and suicidal ideation she would also report. Simple findings revealed that both depression and anxiety were related to the three dependent variables. However, upon controlling for the relationships among depression, anxiety, and externalizing behaviors, more specific relationships were revealed: depression independently predicted substance use and suicidal ideation; anxiety alone did not predict any of the three dependent variables; and externalizing behaviors independently predicted substance use and family discord. Age, ethnicity, lifetime traumatic events, and levels of delinquency were explored as potential moderating variables, but no interactions were found. The current research helps clarify relationships among the targeted problems, and it provides some initial information for developing multifaceted treatment programs for girls in the juvenile justice system.

Historically, aggression among girls has not been regarded as a problem worth studying due to the cultural assumption that aggression is a male phenomenon. Recently, however, the juvenile justice system has documented increasing rates of violent offending among adolescent girls. Girls now account for one out of four arrests, with non-traditional and/or violent offenses among those showing the greatest increase. Unfortunately, little is known about physically violent girls. The current study sought to advance our understanding of the nature of girls’ aggressive behavior by differentiating girls in the juvenile justice system adjudicated on violent versus nonviolent offenses while attending to racial and ethnic differences. Participants included 242 girls who had been committed to or detained within a Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS) residential facility and referred for a psychological evaluation between the dates of 1996 and 2003. Results indicated that among the entire sample, girls who identified as Black and had a lack of positive parental support were significantly more likely to be classified as “violent” based on their criminal offense histories. Results also revealed significant racial differences in the pathway to violence among White and Black participants. Findings from the current study highlight the importance of treating girls in the juvenile justice system as a heterogeneous group and attending to issues of diversity in future research and interventions.

The present study was conducted as an evaluation of women in a county jail. Using a combined qualitative and quantitative approach, 49 women were administered the Personality Assessment Inventory and the Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality. Nine women were interviewed regarding their developmental experiences, psychological symptoms, criminal histories, and behavior while incarcerated. Of the nine women, the narrative data of three women are discussed in detail. Results of the study suggest that many women have a range of clinical problems, most commonly alcohol and drug dependence, traumatic stress, depression, and suicidality. Many women also showed evidence of antisocial and borderline personality traits, yet few women had narcissistic or histrionic traits. Personality disordered women did not differ from non-disordered women with respect to the number of disciplinary violations or time spent in solitary confinement. Aggressive women, however, had a greater number of disciplinary violations and spent more time in solitary confinement than non-aggressive women. Neither aggressiveness nor the presence of a personality disorder was related to the seriousness of current criminal charges, or the level of violence associated with those charges. Various themes from the narrative data regarding the relationship between personality disorder, criminal history, and disciplinary problems are discussed. Conclusions and recommendations for reducing the number of incarcerated women are also discussed.