Abstract
BackgroundTo assess the behavioral risk factors and mental health needs of adolescents in juvenile detention centers (JDC).MethodA total of 238 boys aged 12–17 years was surveyed who had been admitted to a detention center and compared them with boys from the community (n = 238) matched for sex and age. We assessed behavioral risk factors and mental health problems by using the Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire (YRBS) and the Youth Self-Report questionnaire (YSR).ResultsYoung offenders had significantly higher YRBS scores than controls for drug use (odds ratio (OR) 5.16, 95% CI 2.27–7.84), sexual intercourse (OR, 2.51; 95% CI 1.55–2.90), irregular diet (4.78, 2.11–7.51), suicide attempts (1.96, 1.32–5.85), and physical fighting behavior (3.49, 1.60–7.07), but not for tobacco use, alcohol use, and high–risk cycling. Young offenders at the time of admission (6.61, 2.58–15.2), at 6 months (3.12, 1.81–10.1), and at 12 months (5.29, 1.98–13.3) reported statistically higher levels of total mental health problems than adolescents in a community sample.ConclusionsYoung offenders have a high rate of mental and behavioral disorders. In the detention period, aggressive behavior, self–destructive/identity, and externalizing of problems improved while withdrawn, anxious or depressed, and internalizing of problems worsened.
Highlights
The few young people who commit criminal offenses require some kind of secure detention
There is considerable evidence that young offenders are at an increased risk of mental health problems
Despite the growing evidence that young offenders are at risk of a range of mental health problems, few studies have made direct comparisons with non-offender samples [9]
Summary
The few young people who commit criminal offenses require some kind of secure detention. In China, the type of secure provision for young offenders is called a juvenile detention center. The detention center is a security facility designed to house juveniles who need to be detained in a restrictive environment. Because of the risk that young offenders pose to themselves through problematic substance use, risky sexual behavior or suicide, the psychosocial and health problems of these adolescents cause great public concern worldwide [3,4]. There is considerable evidence that young offenders are at an increased risk of mental health problems. Despite the growing evidence that young offenders are at risk of a range of mental health problems, few studies have made direct comparisons with non-offender samples [9]. To assess the behavioral risk factors and mental health needs of adolescents in juvenile detention centers (JDC)
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