| Description |
The Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) refers to a network of private youth programs, wilderness camps, boarding schools, and residential facilities marketed as treatment centers for adolescents with perceived mental illnesses or behavioral problems. However, given that a range of negative experiences have been reported by survivors during their time in the TTI, it is important to investigate whether the outcomes associated with these treatment programs are indeed positive ones. The present study aimed to investigate potentially stressful experiences during TTI involvement and their association with adult well-being. This association was examined through the exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs), defined as experiences in which individuals witness, perpetrate, or fail to prevent acts that violate their personal moral code (e.g., experiencing mistreatment at the hands of therapeutic staff). It is understood that PMIEs, when left untreated, result in symptoms which may significantly impact well-being. Additionally, this study further examined the role of meaning-making as a potential moderating factor influencing the association between PMIE exposure and well-being in adulthood. It was hypothesized that there would be a negative association between PMIEs experienced during TTI programs and adult wellbeing, and that this association would be moderated by meaning-making, such that individuals who have been able to make better sense of moral transgressions and integrate this understanding into their worldviews would be less impacted by PMIEs and have higher well-being in adulthood. Participants included 302 survivors of the TTI ages 18 and older who were recruited primarily through outreach to online TTI survivor communities. The majority of participants self-identified as male and/or Non-Hispanic White, and most reported having attended at least one TTI program for one to two years during their lifetime. Eligible participants completed a Qualtrics survey assessing PMIE exposure during TTI involvement, meaning-making, and adult well-being. A moderation analysis was conducted to investigate these relationships. Results from our analyses did not support the original hypothesis given that no significant association was found between PMIE exposure and well-being in adulthood. Additionally, no significant interaction was found between PMIEs and meaning-making, suggesting no moderation effects. However, meaning-making was found to be a significant predictor of well-being, irrespective of PMIE levels. Ultimately, this study not only adds to the current literature on moral injury in youth but may also inform efforts to support youth's recovery from negative TTI experiences. |
