Abstract
This study documents rates of youth referred for adjudication to a state juvenile justice system who have coexisting—and often unidentified—mental illnesses. The project examined records for 1,411 youth who were admitted over a 1-year period. All were screened with an instrument that allowed multidimensional appraisal along relevant mental health concerns. Approximately 70% of the youth exhibited a caution or warning in one or more (out of six) categories of mental health concern. These incidents were cross-referenced with categories of offense as well as incidents of using psychotropic medication. Sex, age, and ethnic heritage were also tracked. Results for each category show wide differences. Statistically, variances among the variables were analyzed by traditional general linear model techniques (e.g., ANOVA, regression) and differences in underlying constructs were confirmed by structural equation modeling. Schoolteachers, counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists, and policymakers can employ this information when working with youth in the juvenile justice system or those who are at risk.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.