Childhood Maltreatment and Psychiatric Disorders Among Detained Youths

Abstract

Objective This manuscript examines the prevalence of childhood maltreatment and the relationship between childhood maltreatment and current psychiatric disorder in detained youths. Methods Clinical research interviewers assessed history of childhood maltreatment with the Child Maltreatment Assessment Profile and psychiatric diagnosis with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children version 2.3 in a stratified, random sample of 1829 detained youths at the Cook Country Juvenile Temporary Detention Center; final n=1735. History of maltreatment was also ascertained from records from the Cook County Court Child Protection Division. Results Over three-quarters of females and over two-thirds of males had a history of physical abuse (moderate or severe). More than 40% of females and 10% of males had a history of sexual abuse. Females and non-Hispanic whites had the highest prevalence rates of childhood maltreatment. Among females, sexual abuse was associated with every type of psychiatric disorder. For example, females who experienced abuse were 2.6 to 10.7 times more likely to have any disorder compared with females who had no maltreatment. Among males, maltreatment was associated with every disorder except anxiety disorders (odds ratios ranged from 1.9–7.9). Among those who were sexually abused, abuse with force was associated with anxiety and affective disorders for females and attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD)/disruptive behavior and substance use disorders for males. Conclusions Psychiatrists and other mental health specialists must screen delinquent youth, not only for psychiatric disorders but also for past and ongoing maltreatment. Discharge planning should include protective and therapeutic services. Trauma-related mental health services should be available during incarceration.

Exploring Mental Health and Substance use Treatment Needs of Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth Participating in a Specialty Juvenile Court

“…Our finding that prior abuse history influences the relationship between mental problems and substance use supports prior research that has investigated the relationships between abuse, substance use, and mental health 24 . Findings from the current study align with those of King et al and highlight the need for comprehensive, trauma-informed care that unifies mental health and substance use treatment.…”

“…Youth with a history of child abuse are also significantly more likely to use drugs or alcohol and to be convicted for drug-related offenses 23 . In their examination of childhood maltreatment and its relationship with mental health disorders in detained youth, King et al (2011) found that both males and females who had been sexually abused (forcefully and non-forcefully) were more likely to have substance use disorder than their detained peers who were not sexually abused 24 . Specifically, among female detainees, substance abuse was prevalent among those who had been sexually abused (48%) and among those who were both sexually and physically abused (60%).…”

“…Specifically, among female detainees, substance abuse was prevalent among those who had been sexually abused (48%) and among those who were both sexually and physically abused (60%). Fifty-five percent of female detainees who had been sexually abused with force developed a substance use disorder 24 . Furthermore, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (2003) found that sexually or physically abused girls were twice as likely to smoke, drink, and use drugs than their non-abused peers 25 .…”

Childhood trauma levels in individuals attending adult mental health services: An evaluation of clinical records and structured measurement of childhood trauma

“…For example, a recent population based study in Ireland, reported rates of contact sexual abuse in 20% of girls and 16% of boys (McGhee, Garavan, Byrne, O'Higgins, & Conroy, 2011). In addition to child sexual abuse (CSA) and physical abuse (King et al, 2011;Selvi et al, 2012;Zlotnick et al, 2008), emotional abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect and the number of types of childhood trauma suffered have also been associated with an increased likelihood of individuals subsequently suffering mental health disorders and having a reduced health-related quality of life in adulthood (Benjet, Borges, Méndez, Fleiz, & Medina-Mora, 2011;Draper et al, 2008;Huang, Schwandt, Ramchandani, George, & Heilig, 2012).…”

Child Maltreatment and Social Connectedness Among Formerly Institutionalized Females

“…The current study includes CSA, CPA, as well as neglect and exposure to DV, to examine the co-occurrence of subtypes of maltreatment and investigate the cumulative effect of different subtypes on depression. Second, studies differed in their assessment of depression, ranging from affective disorders (King et al, 2011) to general psychological functioning (Wareham & Dembo, 2007). Here, we focus on depressive symptoms.…”