Child Protection Involvement and Youth Justice Among Emerging Adults: A Life Course Analysis

Introduction: Individuals with histories of child protection involvement (CPI) are disproportionately represented in justice systems, yet the institutional mechanisms linking welfare contact to later justice involvement remain underexamined, particularly in Global South contexts. Drawing on life course theory and situating outcomes within the developmental stage of emerging adulthood, this study examines whether CPI is associated with youth justice involvement (YJI) among emerging adults, and whether educational disruption (ED) and psychological distress (PD) operate as parallel pathways.

Methods: The sample comprised justice-involved individuals aged 18 to 25 years in Punjab, Pakistan, recruited from community-based supervision programs following court involvement or institutional release. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was employed to test direct and indirect associations among CPI, ED, PD, and YJI.

Results: CPI was positively associated with ED and PD. Both ED and PD were significantly associated with YJI and functioned as parallel mediating mechanisms. CPI also demonstrated a direct association with YJI, indicating cumulative institutional exposure across the life course.

Conclusion: Fragmented child protection responses in childhood appear to contribute to justice system involvement during emerging adulthood through educational and psychological pathways. The study advances crossover research in a Global South context and highlights the need for integrated educational and mental health services within child protection systems to reduce subsequent justice contact.