Discerning Reported Suicide Attempts Within a Youthful Offender Population

Abstract

With suicide being the third leading cause of death among young people, early identification of risk is critical, particularly for those involved with the juvenile courts. In this study of court‐involved youth (N = 433) in two Midwest counties, logistic regression analysis identified some expected and unexpected findings of important demographic, educational, mental health, child welfare, and juvenile court‐related variables that were linked to reported suicide attempts. Some of the expected suicide attempt risk factors for these youth included prior psychiatric hospitalization and related mental health services, residential placement, and diagnoses of depression and alcohol dependence. However, the most unexpected finding was that a court disposition to shelter care (group home) was related to a nearly tenfold increased risk in reported suicide attempt. These findings are of importance to families, mental health professionals, and juvenile court personnel to identify those youth who are most at risk and subsequently provide appropriate interventions to prevent such outcomes.

Suicidal Ideation and Behavior in Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

“…However, four studies, most with smaller samples, found no racial/ethnic differences in suicide attempts (Esposito & Clum, 2002; Mallett et al, 2012; Rohde et al, 1997; Wasserman & McReynolds, 2006). Findings on racial/ethnic differences did not appear to vary by point of contact in the juvenile justice system.…”

“…One study of post-adjudicated youth found that 12.2% had lifetime attempts (Mallett, DeRigne, Quinn, & Stoddard-Dare, 2012). …”

“…Similarly, substance use (Bhatta et al, 2014; Freedenthal et al, 2007; Morris et al, 1995) or substance use disorders (Mallett et al, 2012; Nolen et al, 2008; Wasserman & McReynolds, 2006) were commonly identified as predicting suicidal attempts. However, nearly as many studies found no association between some substances (Bhatta et al, 2014; Rohde et al, 1997) or disorders (Abram et al, 2008; Kempton & Forehand, 1992; Mallett et al, 2012) and suicide attempts.…”

Psychological Distress Among Youth Probationers: Using Social Determinants of Health to Assess Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

“…Similar to other study findings, the presence of mental health issues and substance use greatly impacted STB of youth in this study (Schubert, Mulvey, & Glasheen, 2011). In addition, study findings about suicide risk of post-adjudicated youth suggest that formal processing through the juvenile justice system may play a crucial role in the development of STB in youth probationers (Mallett et al ., 2012). Consequently, incorporating mental health care and substance misuse treatment is needed in community supervision of youth to enhance the chances of them successfully completing their probation (Mann et al ., 2005).…”

“…Pre-adjudicated (before delinquency cases have been reviewed and settled) youth in the community indicated the prevalence of suicide attempts in the past month ranged between 1.4% to 2.9% (Penn, Thomas, & the Work Group on Quality Issues, 2005; Wasserman & McReynolds, 2006; Wasserman et al ., 2010), while lifetime attempts ranged from 9.9% to 13.2% (Wasserman & McReynolds, 2006; Wasserman et al ., 2010). One study of post-adjudicated (status after delinquency cases have been reviewed and settled; final disposition) youth indicated that 12.2% had lifetime attempts (Mallett, DeRigne, Quinn, & Stoddard-Dare, 2012). Another sample of youth probationers with adjudicated cases had higher suicidal ideation in the past month up to 29.5% (Evans, Albers, Macari, & Mason, 1996) versus pre-adjudicated youth ranging from 8% to 12.7% (Wasserman & McReynolds, 2006).…”