Examining PTSD as a Predictor of Trajectories of Depression/Anxiety Symptoms Among Justice-Involved Women

Despite high prevalence of mental health needs, research examining justice-involved women’s (JIW) PTSD as a predictor of trajectories of (i.e., changes in) depression/anxiety is lacking. For 402 JIW in a longitudinal study, group-based trajectory modeling identified four patterns of change in depression/anxiety symptoms. Multinomial logistic regression showed that PTSD symptoms predicted assignment to the High Chronic and Recurring anxiety/depression groups, indicating acute need for mental health treatment for JIW with PTSD. Findings suggest that the Recurring group presents with declining symptoms followed by an increase. For this reason, it is vital to maintain mental health treatment after supervision ends.