The study was part of a federally funded longitudinal study of juvenile detainees. Most youths admitted to the Hillsborough Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Tampa were white males, although 42 percent were black. Interviews probed household head occupation or source of household income. Other study variables included sociodemographic characteristics, family problems, juvenile court contacts, physical abuse, sexual victimization history, alcohol and other drug use, involvement of friends in substance use and crime, and emotional and psychological problems. Findings revealed that female detainees were significantly more likely to have been sexually victimized and to have more contact with the juvenile court for status offenses and for being sexually abused. Male detainees had higher referral rates for delinquency offenses and self-reported greater participation in theft crimes. Male and female detainees seemed to reflect different dynamics in their behavior and in gender-specific juvenile court practices. Problem behavior of females was associated with an abusive and traumatizing home life, whereas problem behavior of males reflected their involvement in a delinquent lifestyle. It was determined that mental health services are especially needed for female youths involved in the juvenile justice system, including individual and family counseling. An appendix contains a detailed discussion of study variables. 59 references and 2 tables