Mental Health and Incarcerated Youth. I: Prevalence and Nature of Psychopathology

Mental Illness and Juvenile Offenders

“…Numerous comprehensive studies have indicated that there are certain types of mental disorders common among youth offenders, and that some of the symptoms increase youths risk of engaging in aggressive behaviors [16,26,31,32,33]. Additionally, risk of aggression is increased for many specific disorders and comorbid disorders because the emotional symptoms ( i.e ., anger) and self-regulatory symptoms (impulsivity) tend to increase the risk [10,16,26,31].…”

“…Additionally, risk of aggression is increased for many specific disorders and comorbid disorders because the emotional symptoms ( i.e ., anger) and self-regulatory symptoms (impulsivity) tend to increase the risk [10,16,26,31]. Commonly found mental health disorders in youth offenders include, affective disorders (major depression, persistent depression, and manic episodes), psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders (panic, separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder), disruptive behavior disorders (conduct, oppositional defiant disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), and substance use disorders [11,30,34].…”

“…Youth with mood disorders are more likely to display anger, irritability and hostility [39,40,41]. Mood disorders, mostly depression, occur in about 10%–25% of youth in the juvenile justice system [16,26,31]. The irritable mood that often accompanies depressive disorders increases youths’ probability of inciting angry responses from others, thereby increasing their risk of engaging in more physically aggressive acts that get them arrested [11,42,43].…”

Mental Illness and Juvenile Offenders

“…Additionally, risk of aggression is increased for many specific disorders and comorbid disorders because the emotional symptoms (i.e., anger) and self-regulatory symptoms (impulsivity) tend to increase the risk [10,16,26,31]. Commonly found mental health disorders in youth offenders include, affective disorders (major depression, persistent depression, and manic episodes), psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders (panic, separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder), disruptive behavior disorders (conduct, oppositional defiant disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), and substance use disorders [11,30,34].…”

Mental Health Screening in Juvenile Justice Settings: Evaluating the Utility of the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument, Version 2

“…For youth involved in the juvenile justice system, behavioral problems are often just the tip of the iceberg. Delinquent youth are more likely than their non-delinquent peers to face multiple disadvantages, including disproportionately high rates of mental disorder (Abram, Teplin, McClelland, & Dulcan, 2003; Atkins et al, 1999; Colins et al, 2010; Fazel, Doll, & Langstrom, 2008; Garland et al, 2001; McReynolds et al, 2008; Otto, Greenstein, Johnson, & Friedman, 1992; Shufelt & Cocozza, 2006; Teplin, Abram, McClelland, Dulcan, & Mericle, 2002). The juvenile justice system has an ethical responsibility to provide mental health treatment to those in its custody who require it.…”