Identifying the Depressive Profiles Among Latinx Adolescents Who Have Experienced School Discipline and School Policing: Evidence for the School-to-Patient Nexus

Objective: To identify the depressive profiles of 15-year-old Latinx adolescents who have been school disciplined and school policed, and to provide empirical evidence for the School-to-Patient Nexus (STPN). Method: Data from 813 Latinx adolescents from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) were used to conduct a latent class analysis to understand the subgroup differences among Latinx adolescents in terms of their school discipline, school policing, and depressive symptoms. Covariates included prior mental health history, demographics, and school connectedness. Results: Three classes of Latinx adolescents were identified: (1) "less school policing"; (2) "no school discipline/low school policing"; and (3) "more school policing." Depressive symptom scores incrementally increased with latent classes. Conclusion: School discipline and school policing influence the depressive symptoms of Latinx adolescents. Compared to the other classes, class 3 indicated that Latina adolescent girls had the highest depressive mean scores, and therefore structural and institutional changes and interventions specifically adhering to the needs of these girls are needed. These findings provide empirical support for the School-to-Patient Nexus, demonstrating how carceral school practices become embodied as mental health outcomes.