PTSD, Trauma, and Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders in Detained Youth

• NCJ Number: 239603
• Author(s): Karen M. Abram; Linda A. Teplin; Devon C. King; Sandra L. Longworth; Kristin M. Emanuel; Erin G. Romero; Gary M. McClelland; Mina K. Dulcan; Jason J. Washburn; Leah J. Welty; Nichole D. Olson
• Date Published: June 2013
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Series: OJJDP Beyond Detention Series
• Grant Number(s): 1999-JE-FX-1001; 2005-JL-FX-0288; 2008-JF-FX-0068
• Agencies: OJJDP
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)

Annotation

This bulletin presents findings on the prevalence of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among juvenile detainees and PTSD's tendency to co-occur with other psychiatric disorders.

Abstract

Findings show that more than 1 in 10 has posttraumatic stress disorder; the presence of PTSD increases the likelihood that at least one other psychiatric disorder is a challenge to the criminal justice and mental health systems; and youth with PTSD and comorbid disorders have significantly more behavioral and health problems and more impaired interpersonal relationships than those with PTSD and no comorbid disorders. This bulletin examines the results of the Northwestern Juvenile Project, a longitudinal study of youth detained at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center in Chicago, IL. Discussed are the findings on the prevalence of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among juvenile detainees and PTSD's tendency to co-occur with other psychiatric disorders. Of the study sample, 92.5 percent of youth had experienced at least one trauma, 84 percent had experienced more than one trauma, and 56.8 percent were exposed to trauma six or more times. Among participants with PTSD, 93 percent had at least one comorbid psychiatric disorder. Among males, having any psychiatric diagnosis significantly increased the odds of having comorbid PTSD. Tables and references