Technology for assessment and treatment of justice-involved youth: A systematic literature review.

Abstract

Objective: We conducted a systematic literature review of e-mental health technologies in juvenile justice contexts. Hypotheses: Our exploratory research questions were as follows: First, what types of e-mental health exist for justice-involved youth, their caregivers, and juvenile justice professionals? Second, what are the characteristics of studies that have examined these technologies? Third, what have studies found about the effectiveness, reliability, or validity of e-mental health in treating and assessing juvenile justice populations? And fourth, what advantages and disadvantages exist for e-mental health use in juvenile justice? Method: We screened 759 articles and retained 36 for review. We included articles that investigated e-mental health for the assessment or treatment of justice-involved youth and their caregivers. We excluded technologies not directly related to assessment or treatment as well as samples of at-risk youth with no justice involvement. Results: We identified four types of e-mental health technologies: Interventions with technology-facilitated interpersonal communication (e.g., telehealth and mHealth), digitized intervention programs, simulation games, and computerized assessments. Most study designs were experimental/quasi-experimental or qualitative/descriptive, followed closely by repeated measures/pretest-posttest. A majority of evidence suggested that e-mental health technologies were potentially effective or valid for treatment and assessment, especially telehealth. Advantages included positive opinions of users, increased access to care, and efficiency; disadvantages included barriers to accessing technology, privacy concerns, and lack of clear effectiveness, reliability, or validity data. Conclusions: Although the available evidence for e-mental health for juvenile justice is promising, the current literature base appears generally underdeveloped and nuanced. Worthwhile future directions include continued development of technologies and more rigorously conducted studies to support further implementation of e-mental health for juvenile justice.Public Significance Statement E-mental health, and especially telehealth, has shown some potential as a set of strategies to increase justice-involved youths' access to needed behavioral health care. However, such potential requires more rigorous empirical investigation, including greater attention to the risk for health disparities that may stem from inequitable access to or delivery of e-mental health.

Technological Innovations in Forensic and Correctional Mental Health: An Introduction to the Special Issue

“…First, more research is needed not only on technologies that already have a growing evidence base in forensic and correctional mental health (e.g., videoconferencing, web platforms, and virtual reality) but also for technologies for which no or few studies exist (e.g., decision support systems, augmented reality, and wearable technology; Kip et al, 2018; Leach et al, 2022). Furthermore, empirically supported technologies designed specifically for justice-involved individuals are necessary (Grove et al, 2021). To increase access to such technologies for professionals, emphasis should be placed on transferring e-mental health solutions developed and validated via scientific research into commercially available products.…”

“…reviews having identified approximately 100 relevant articles grove et al, 2021;Kip et al, 2018;Leach et al, 2022). A catalyst for technology-based services in criminal justice settings has been the COVID-19 pandemic which necessitated a rapid increase in the adoption rate to comply with physical distancing regulations (Bernhard et al, 2021;Kois et al, 2021).…”

“…The emerging literature with criminal justice populations focused mainly on the use of telecommunication technologies (Brodey et al, 2000; Cervenka et al, 1996), computerized assessments (Paperny, 1997; Wasserman et al, 2002), and video games (Gooch & Living, 2004; Resnick et al, 1986; Sherer, 1990). Since that time, the number of studies in this area has increased considerably, with four systematic reviews having identified approximately 100 relevant articles (Batastini et al, 2016; Grove et al, 2021; Kip et al, 2018; Leach et al, 2022). A catalyst for technology-based services in criminal justice settings has been the COVID-19 pandemic which necessitated a rapid increase in the adoption rate to comply with physical distancing regulations (Bernhard et al, 2021; Kois et al, 2021).…”

Developing a Smartphone-Based Adjunct Intervention to Reduce Cannabis Use Among Juvenile Justice-Involved Adolescents: Protocol for a Multiphase Study

“…Digital health interventions that combine motivation-enhancement and accurate peer norms may be especially well-suited to treat CINI youth in justice settings because they are accessible, customizable, portable, and show evidence of reducing cannabis use [ 34 - 39 ]. Among adolescents who receive brief computerized SU treatments [ 40 ], effects appear to fade over time [ 41 ], suggesting that adjunct treatments may be needed to help sustain gains.…”

Introduction to the special issue on technology in the legal and criminal justice systems.

“…The second article, by Grove et al (2021), presents the results of a systematic review of e-mental health for justice-involved youth to explore which assessment and treatment technologies have been developed or investigated, the characteristics of the available research, the extent of efficacy evidence, and the advantages and disadvantages. Given the increasing use of technology to deliver or supplement behavioral health assessment and treatment, including among justice-involved individuals, tough systematic reviews such as this one simultaneously offer a "state of the field" summary and a nuanced perspective on this important topic.…”