Psychiatric Disorders of Youth in Detention

Mental Illness and Juvenile Offenders

“…Approximately 40 to 80 percent of incarcerated juveniles have at least one diagnosable mental health disorder [16,24,25,26,27]. Two-thirds of males and three-quarters of females in previous studies of juvenile offender detention facilities, were found to meet criteria for at least one mental health disorder [26,28,29,30]. An additional one-tenth also met criteria for a substance use disorder [26,28,29,30].…”

“…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]. Of youth involved with the juvenile justice system, estimates suggest that approximately 15% to 30% have diagnoses of depression or dysthymia (pervasive depressive disorder) [35], 13% to 30% have diagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, 3%–7% have diagnoses of bipolar disorder [16,36], and 11% to 32% have diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder [37].…”

Psychiatric Problems and Trauma Exposure in Nondetained Delinquent and Nondelinquent Adolescents

“…Delinquent adolescents are at risk for mental health and substance use problems (Colins et al, 2010; Teplin et al, 2006). To understand the clinical needs of this population, researchers have examined the prevalence of psychiatric disorders (i.e., affective, anxiety, disruptive behavior, substance abuse) in samples of detained youth (Teplin et al, 2006).…”

“…To understand the clinical needs of this population, researchers have examined the prevalence of psychiatric disorders (i.e., affective, anxiety, disruptive behavior, substance abuse) in samples of detained youth (Teplin et al, 2006). Prevalence estimates derived from these samples are influenced by methodological inconsistencies, and few studies have drawn estimates from large samples of delinquent teens, calling into question the generalizability of observed estimates and precluding opportunities to examine moderators of clinical outcomes.…”

“…Recognizing these limitations, Teplin et al (2006) investigated the prevalence of mental health and substance use problems among a large sample of detained adolescents. Roughly two-thirds of the sample met criteria for a DSM-III-R diagnosis other than conduct disorder; specifically, 13% of boys and 22% of girls met criteria for a major depressive episode (MDE) and approximately 21% of boys and 31% of girls met criteria for an anxiety disorder in the six-months preceding the assessment.…”