Psychiatric Disorder, Comorbidity, and Suicidal Behavior in Juvenile Justice Youth

Abstract

Results of collaborations with juvenile justice agencies nationwide were examined to provide generalizable estimates of psychiatric disorder and suicidality among justice system youth. Diagnostic assessments were aggregated from 57 sites (N = 9,819) from an automated computer-assisted self-interview (Voice Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children). Disorder was predicted from setting type (system intake, detention, corrections), adjusting for demographic and offense characteristics, and for cross-site variability within settings. Race by comorbid disorder interactions were examined in predicting substance use disorder (SUD). White youth, repeat offenders, and those with further justice system penetration reported higher rates of most disorders; girls reported higher rates of internalizing conditions only. Although presence of another disorder increased SUD for most groups, SUD was high in American Indians regardless of either affective disorder or recent suicide attempt. Findings highlight (a) varying mental health needs across settings, (b) prior justice contact relating strongly to need, (c) girls' elevated rates of internalizing disorder, and (d) racial/ethnic differences in diagnostic profiles.

The relationship of the type of alleged crime with self-esteem and depressive symptoms in juvenile delinquents

“…Studies have shown that it is common to have 4 or more siblings in juvenile offenders, especially in those with psychiatric disorders (30). Living in large families increases the risk of juvenile's push to crime (31,32). In multiple-children families, the time parents can spare for each child is limited.…”

Mental Health and the Juvenile Justice System: Issues Related to Treatment and Rehabilitation

“…Perhaps because there is a high incidence of mental health disorders among children/youth involved in the juvenile justice system, it should be no surprise that suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior is higher among incarcerated juveniles than in the general population. It has been found that arrest for violence (Wasserman & McReynolds, 2006), repeat offending, juvenile justice involvement, and incarceration (Wasserman, McReynolds, Schwalbe, Keating, & Jones, 2010) are associated with suicidal ideation and behavior. Having a mental health issue with or without co-occuring substance use is likely a contributing factor to high suicidal ideation and suicide rates found in the detained juvenile population.…”

“…In regard to prevalence rates of suicide attempts, gender differences have been evidenced with higher rates in females (Bhatta et al, 2014;Wasserman & McReynolds, 2006;Wasserman, et al, 2010). In their review, Stokes et al (2015) found depression to be a predictor of suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior and in their meta-analysis of the MAYSI-2, Vincent et al (2008) found females significantly more likely than males to score above the caution cutoff on the Depression-Anxious and Suicide Ideation Scales.…”

“…For instance, suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors differ greatly in that Caucasians have elevated rates of lifetime suicide attempts and externalizing disorders compared to African Americans (Vincent et al, 2008;Wasserman et al, 2010). The Wasserman research team found African American females to have the lowest overall rates of suicide attempts while lifetime suicide attempts were highest for Native Americans.…”

Easing Reentry of Incarcerated Youth With and Without Disabilities Through Employability and Social Skills Training

“…(Burell & Moeser, 2014, p. 652) Trauma-informed care. Recognizing the psychological damage youth experience within the juvenile justice system, as well as the compounding nature of trauma the same youth experienced prior to entering the system, a focus on rehabilitation necessitates a consideration of significant mental health concerns (Wasserman, McReynolds, Schwalbe, Keating, & Jones, 2010). "It is clear that trauma is a core issue for many youth entering residential treatment, and is likely a major contributor to their emotional disturbance including trauma-related mental health problems" (Hodgdon, Kinniburgh, Gabowitz, Blaustein, & Spinazzola, 2013, p. 680).…”