Association between mental health disorders and juveniles' detention for a personal crime

Abstract

Background: Youth involved with juvenile courts often suffer from mental health difficulties and disorders, and these mental health disorders have often been a factor leading to the youth’s delinquent behaviours and activities. Method: The present study of a sample population (N = 341), randomly drawn from one urban US county’s juvenile court delinquent population, investigated which specific mental health disorders predicted detention for committing a personal crime. Results: Youth with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder diagnoses were significantly less likely to commit personal crimes and experience subsequent detention, while youth with bipolar diagnoses were significantly more likely. Conclusion: Co‐ordinated youth policy efforts leading to early identification and treatment of bipolar disorder symptoms may be necessary.

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].…”

“…However, Connor (2002) acknowledges that there is not much evidentiary support for claims that youth with evolving psychosis are a greater threat of aggression or harm than any other youth [32]. Grisso (2008) indicates that research has provided substantial evidence that youth with disruptive behavior disorders (conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder) display more physically aggressive behavior [10]. Additionally, the comorbidity of conduct disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been linked to chronic and repeat offending during adolescence [45][46][47].…”

“…ICT uses a stage progression treatment approach (engagement, persuasion, active treatment, and relapse prevention) and engages motivational interviewing as a method to facilitate readiness for change [56]. Multisystemic therapy, Functional Family therapy, and Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care, are promising or effective treatments used for youth within the justice system [10,57,58]. These modalities incorporate aspects of treating juvenile offenders that Underwood and colleagues [59,60] have identified as beneficial and preventative when provided by the justice system.…”

“…Greenwood (2008) posits that it would be more economically practical if the focus was placed on preventing juveniles from becoming adult criminals [9]. In recent years it has become more apparent that although incarceration and detainment is necessary for a small percent of juveniles, long-term confinement experiences tend to do more harm than good, often leading to continued offending and recidivism [10][11][12][13][14]. In contrast, community-based alternatives have been found to decrease re-offending, even for youth who commit serious and violent crimes [11,15].…”

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

“…Children and youth with mental health disorders often experience problems in multiple settings (e.g., at home, at school, in the community) and when left untreated, mental health issues may contribute to learning difficulties, delinquency, and offending ultimately leading to juvenile justice involvement (Stoddard-Dare, Mallett, & Boitel, 2011). Data show that children/youth with mental health and learning issues are common in the juvenile justice system, yet, the reason for the high prevalence rate is complex.…”