A Population-Based Study of the Prevalence and Correlates of Self-Harm in Juvenile Detention

Abstract

BackgroundSuicide is the number one cause of death among incarcerated youth. We examined the demographic and forensic risk factors for self-harm in youth in juvenile detention using a Canadian provincial correctional database.MethodWe analyzed data from de-identified youth aged 12 to 18 at the time of their offense who were in custody in a Manitoba youth correctional facility between January 1, 2005 and December 30, 2010 (N = 5,102). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses determined the association between staff-identified self-harm events in custody and demographic and custodial variables. Time to the event was examined based on the admission date and date of event.ResultsDemographic variables associated with self-harm included female sex, lower educational achievement, older age, and child welfare involvement. Custodial variables associated with self-harm included higher criminal severity profiles, younger age at first incarceration, longer sentence length, disruptive institutional behavior, and a history of attempting escape. Youth identified at entry as being at risk for suicide were more likely to self-harm. Events tended to occur earlier in the custodial admission.InterpretationSelf-harm events tended to occur within the first 3 months of an admission stay. Youth with more serious offenses and disruptive behaviors were more likely to self-harm. Individuals with problematic custodial profiles were more likely to self-harm. Suicide screening identified youth at risk for self-harm. Strategies to identify and help youth at risk are needed.

The health of adolescents in detention: a global scoping review

“…[51][52][53][54][55][56] In detained adolescents, the prevalence of suicidal ideation ranged from 12•7% to 59•0% over the lifetime, 57 40,41,59,65 For both sexes combined, the prevalence of suicide attempts was 1•9-6•6% during the past month and 13•3-35•0% during the past year (appendix p 10). 11,28,29,41,45,[57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64]66,67,[69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81] The prevalence 57,59,78 Although suicide accounted for ≤1% of all deaths among adolescents in detention, 11,74,83 the risk of suicide following release from detention is estimated to be two to nine times greater than that of their agematched and sexmatched peers. 6,11,…”

Automutilação em adolescentes: revisão integrativa da literatura

“…A Alemanha três estudos 10,34,38 independentes e outros dois em conjunto com a Suíça 33,73 . O Canadá 48,57,65,75 realizou quatro estudos, Cingapura 37,77,79 , Israel 35,45,70 , Itália 12,18,41 O número de artigos encontrados nesta revisão demonstra o interesse da comunidade científica e a relevância do tema, visto a quantidade de publicações e a diversidade de países envolvidos. A América Latina não apresentou produções científicas nos últimos cinco anos ou realizou publicações em revistas sem indexação nas grandes bases.…”

“…Outros sete trabalhos recrutaram as amostras em locais diversos 9,20,35,37,40,65,68 . De um modo geral, a concentração de estudos em escolas era esperada, uma 34,[36][37][38][39][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60]62,63,[65][66][67][68][69]72,73,[74][75][76][77][78][79] , havendo oito que incluíram apenas adolescentes do sexo feminino 9,10,33,35,…”

Correlates of self-harm and suicide attempts in justice-involved young people

“…In fact, the leading cause of death in youth custodial settings is suicide [ 17 ]. Justice-involved youth have often endured cumulative adverse life experiences and present with behavioural and emotional problems [ 4 , 16 , 18 – 20 ]. Many of these environmental and clinical concerns are consistent with the risk factors for self-harm.…”

“…The bulk of the literature on self-harm and suicide is focused on adults and young people who have not been exposed to the justice system. Research has identified the prevalence and correlates of both in custody and lifetime self-harm among youth justice populations [ 16 , 18 – 23 ]. However, there have been few studies of the prevalence of self-harm in young people in detention in Australia.…”