Suicidality and Other Health Risk Behaviors among Female Youth in Juvenile Detention

Abstract

This study investigates suicidality and health-risk behaviors among female juvenile detainees and identifies the extent to which suicidal behaviors are correlated with other risky activities. This study also explores 12 health risk behaviors, their prevalence, and relative associations to suicidal behaviors within the sample-population. Researchers collected data from 104 female adolescents, ages 12 to 20, residing in a long-term, detention center in the southeastern region of the United States. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were utilized. Suicidal ideations (40%) and suicide attempts (34%) were highly prevalent among female juvenile detainees. Results also suggest that the persistence of suicidal ideations was significantly influenced by exposure to various forms of interpersonal violence. Despite increased exposure to psychosocial factors strongly correlated to suicidal and high risk behaviors, little attention has been given to this particular population. Research recommendations are also discussed.

Socioenvironmental drivers of adolescent suicide in the United States: A scoping review.

“…Similarly, a recent study demonstrated that nongender-conforming high school students were much more likely to report engagement in self-harming activities and risky alcohol use behaviors, particularly among males than students identifying as heterosexual (Goodin et al, 2019; Reisner et al, 2014). A higher rate of suicide attempts and/or suicidal ideation was reported among other vulnerable subgroups, including Latinx (Price & Khubchandani, 2017), female juvenile detainees (Hatcher et al, 2018), Black welfare children (Heneghan et al, 2013), females in early high school years (Rew et al, 2016), and military dependents (Pressley et al, 2012).…”

Justice involvement and girls' sexual health: Directions for policy and practice

“…Compared to girls in the general population, justice-involved girls experience earlier sexual debut, higher rates of sexual activity, and higher numbers of lifetime partners (Biswas & Vaughn, 2011;Braverman, 2011;Dembo, Belenko, Childs, Greenbaum, & Wareham, 2010;Dembo et al, 2017;Gallagher, Dobrin, & Douds, 2007;Golzari, Hunt, & Anoshiravani, 2006;Hatcher, King, Nordberg, Bryant, & Woolen, 2018;Kaplan et al, 2001;Kelly, Morgan-Kidd, Champion, & Wood, 2003;Morris et al, 1995;Odgers, Robins, & Russell, 2010;Rizk & Alderman, 2012). Other risks are also prevalent in studies with justiceinvolved samples: One study reported that 19% of detained girls (n = 197) disclosed exchanging sex for money or drugs within the previous two months (Crosby et al, 2004).…”