Psychiatric Disorders in Detained Male Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Objective: To provide a best estimate of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among detained male adolescents, with particular emphasis on impairment, multi-informant assessment, and race or ethnicity. Method:Computer-assisted searches were executed to identify relevant studies.Results: Fifteen studies using adolescents as informants met inclusion criteria (n = 3401), of which only 2 reported within a subsample on parent-derived diagnoses. The mean prevalence of any disorder was 69.9% (95% CI 69.5% to 70.3%); with conduct disorder occurring most frequently (46.4%, 95% CI 45.6% to 47.3%), followed by substance use disorder (45.1%, 95% CI 44.6% to 45.5%), oppositional defiant disorder (19.8%, 95% CI 19.2% to 20.3%), and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (13.5%, 95% CI 13.2% to 13.9%). Although lower, rates for internalizing disorders were still substantial, with any anxiety disorder found in 15.9% (95% CI 15.6% to 16.1%), major depression in 12.0% (95% CI 11.7% to 12.2%), and posttraumatic stress disorder in 9.6% (95% CI 9.2% to 10.0%). Three studies reported on psychotic disorders, finding low rates (1.35%, 95% CI 1.32% to 1.39%). Estimates of prevalence were only marginally different when impairment was not required, while consistency between adolescents and parents was poor. Findings on the relations between race or ethnicity were too scarce and inconsistent to interpret. Conclusion:Detained male adolescents bear substantial mental health needs, emphasizing the need to organize effective mental health services for this troubled group. However, our knowledge on mental disorders in detained youth should be enhanced, in particular regarding the reliability of adolescents, compared with parent report, and whether clinically relevant differences exist by race or ethnicity.Can J Psychiatry. 2010;55(4):255-263. Clinical Implications· Across countries, detained and incarcerated adolescents have substantial mental health needs. · Standardized mental health screening at detention intakes is warranted. · Effective mental health services should be developed. Limitations· The systematic search of the literature was restricted to detained and incarcerated male adolescents only. · The number of studies on psychiatric disorders in detained male adolescents using a standardized psychiatric interview is still small. · Methodological differences hamper comparison and interpretation of the 15 index study results.

Les symptômes et les troubles intériorisés chez les jeunes contrevenants associés aux gangs de rue

“…Alors que plusieurs études ont évalué les troubles mentaux chez les jeunes contrevenants en général (Colins et al, 2010;Robertson, Dill et Husain, 2004;Ståhlberg, Anckarsäter et Nilsson, 2010), peu d'études s'y sont intéressées plus spécifiquement chez les jeunes contrevenants associés aux gangs de rue. Les résultats des quelques études abordant ce sujet démontrent que ces jeunes présentent davantage de symptômes extériorisés (comportements délinquants et agressifs) et de troubles mentaux que les jeunes qui n'y sont pas associés (Coid et al, 2013;Corcoran, Washington et Meyers, 2005;Harper, Davidson et Hosek, 2008).…”

Adult outcomes of youths who have spent time in a judicial treatment institution in the Netherlands

“…Furthermore, these youths often display serious behaviour problems and may suffer from mental health problems (e.g. Colins et al, 2010;Fazel, Doll & Långström, 2008;Tarren-Sweeney, 2008). These relatively stable individual and background factors contributed to their placement in an institution in the first place, and are assumed to put them at risk of longer term negative outcomes as well (e.g.…”

Psychiatric Disorder in Detained Male Adolescents as Risk Factor for Serious Recidivism

“…[1][2][3] Therefore, it is of interest to study the role of mental disorder for identifying detained youth with an increased risk to recidivate. However, little research is longitudinal, and the relation between mental disorder and recidivism has largely remained unexplored.…”