NCJ Number
133063
Journal
American Journal of Forensic Psychology Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (1991) Pages: 5-17
Date Published
1991
Length
13 pages
Annotation
A sample of 173 randomly selected youth, representing approximately 10 percent of the population of the Ohio Department of Youth Services, was studied using information from official records, psychometric data collection instruments, and clinical interviews by forensic specialists in psychiatry and psychology. The study resulted in a descriptive, epidemiological, and comparative review of youthful offenders who exhibited serious mental health problems.
Abstract
The sample, which appeared to be typical for residents of State-operated juvenile correctional facilities, included a number of violent offenders. Nearly 20 percent of the sample had a history of mental health-related hospitalizations, and all had family dysfunctions of some type. The psychometric data found in both male and female subjects displayed a definite similarity to youths who had been psychiatrically hospitalized. The diagnostic evaluations yielded a wide variety of DSM-III-R diagnoses. In each category of mental disorder, the incidence exceeded community epidemiological prevalence rates. These findings were consistent with other studies of juvenile justice populations. 2 tables and 14 references