Depression and Suicide in Juvenile Offenders

• NCJ Number: 183496
• Author(s): Peter L. Sheras Ph.D.
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 6 pages
• Grant Number(s): 97-JE-FX-0051
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Corporate Author: Institute of Law, Psychiatry & Public Policy, University of Virginia
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Institute of Law, Psychiatry & Public Policy, University of Virginia
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper examines the incidence of depression and suicide in juvenile offenders.

Abstract

Depressive and conduct disorders are two of the most common diagnostic formulations used to describe juvenile offenders. Each is associated with high levels of suicidality. Suicide rates among delinquent youth appear higher than among non-delinquents. The death rate from suicide may be as much as 4.6 times higher in juvenile detention centers than in the general population. The most common predictors of suicidality in delinquent juveniles appear to be depression, hopelessness, conduct problems, and substance abuse. Criteria for judging depression are not clear, and it is difficult to obtain statistics regarding suicide attempts. The latter are often self-report items and, therefore, open to question. Some juveniles with oppositional defiant or conduct disorders or anti-social personalities may report their behavior inaccurately to gain advantage or special treatment. The paper suggests that screening measures for depression and suicidal ideation and intent be part of the evaluation procedures for juvenile offenders, conducted as soon as possible and at the time of transition from one treatment or holding setting to another. Bibliography, references