Mental health needs in juvenile offenders: A descriptive study in an Argentinean sample
Abstract
Juveniles in the criminal justice system have higher rates of mental health needs than those in the general population. The screening of these needs in admission to the legal devices allows identifying those cases that require specific and immediate intervention. The present study explores the prevalence and comorbidity of mental health needs in 55 adolescents admitted to a closed detention center of the juvenile justice system through a translated version for MAYSI-2 for Argentina (Grisso, Barnum, Orpianessi & Arbach, 2018). Approximately 90% of the adolescents presented scores that indicated the probable presence of at least one type of mental health need. A similar proportion reports having experienced traumatic experiences along their lives. The most prevalent clinical conditions were somatization, thought disturbance, and depressive and anxious symptoms. The alcohol and drug abuse subscale recorded the highest proportion of adolescents with scores above the maximum cut-off point. Almost all of the cases had scores that indicated the presence of two or more comorbid conditions. MAYSI-2 could be a promissory tool in the implementation of screening strategies in resource-limited settings. Practical and research implications of these findings are discussed.
Downloads
References
Abram, K. M., Teplin, L. A., Charles, D. R., Longworth, S. L., McClelland, G. M., & Dulcan, M. K. (2004). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and trauma in youth in juvenile detention. Archives of General Psychiatry, 61(4), 403. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.61.4.403
Abram, K. M., Zwecker, N. A., Welty, L. J., Hershfield, J. A., Dulcan, M. K., & Teplin, L. A. (2015). Comorbidity and continuity of psychiatric disorders in youth after detention. JAMA Psychiatry, 72(1), 84. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.1375
Achenbach, T. M. (2009). Achenbach system of empirically based assessment (ASEBA): Development, findings, theory, and applications. Vermont: University of Vermont, Research Center of Children, Youth & Families.
American Psychological Association (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Code of conduct. Washington: American Psychological Association.
Archer, R. P., Stredny, R. V., Mason, J. A., & Arnau, R. C. (2004). An examination and replication of the psychometric properties of the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument – Second Edition (MAYSI-2) among adolescents in detention settings. Assessment, 11(4), 290–302. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191104269863
Bailey, S., Doreleijers, T., & Tarbuck, P. (2006). Recent developments in mental health screening and assessment in juvenile justice systems. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 15(2), 391–406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2005.12.004
Belenko, S., Knight, D., Wasserman, G. A., Dennis, M. L., Wiley, T., Taxman, F., … Sales, J. (2017). The juvenile justice behavioral health services cascade: A new framework for measuring unmet substance use treatment services needs among adolescent offenders. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 74, 80–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2016.12.012
Bhatta, M. P., Jefferis, E., Kavadas, A., Alemagno, S. A., & Shaffer-King, P. (2014). Suicidal behaviors among adolescents in juvenile detention: Role of adverse life experiences. PLoS ONE, 9(2), e89408. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0089408
Cauffman, E. (2004). A statewide screening of mental health symptoms among juvenile offenders in detention. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 43(4), 430–439. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-200404000-00009
Colins, O., Grisso, T., Mulder, E., & Vermeiren, R. (2014). The relation of standardized mental health screening and categorical assessment in detained male adolescents. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 24(3), 339–349. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-014-0584-1
Colins, O., Grisso, T., Vahl, P., Guy, L., Mulder, E., Hornby, N., Pronk, C., Markus, M., Doreleijers, T., & Vermeiren, R. (2014). Standardized screening for mental health needs of detained youths from various ethnic origins: The Dutch Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-second version (MAYSI-2). Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 37(3), 481–492. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-014-9476-4
Colins, O., Vermeiren, R., Vahl, P., Markus, M., Broekaert, E., & Doreleijers, T. (2011). Psychiatric disorder in detained male adolescents as risk factor for serious recidivism. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 56(1), 44–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371105600108
Colins, O., Vermeiren, R., Vreugdenhil, C. W., Doreleijers, T., & Broekaert, E. (2010). Psychiatric disorders in detained male adolescents: a systematic literature review. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(4), 255–263. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371005500409
De La Barra, M. F., Vicente, P. B., Saldivia, B. S., & Melipillán, A. R. (2012). Estudio de epidemiología psiquiátrica en niños y adolescentes en Chile. Estado actual. Revista Médica Clínica Las Condes, 23(5), 521–529. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0716-8640(12)70346-2
Demirbaş-Çakır, E., Şişmanlar, Ş. G., Çakır, U., Duymaz, M. K., Karakaya, I., Coşkun, A., & Ağaoğlu, B. (2015). Adolescent delinquency and psychopathology: Is MAYSI-2 a valid instrument to assess psychopathology risk among Turkish adolescents? Acta Medica Anatolia, 3(4), 119. https://doi.org/10.15824/actamedica.43882
Dodge, K. A., Bierman, K. L., Coie, J. D., Greenberg, M. T., Lochman, J. E., McMahon, R. J., & Pinderhughes, E. E. (2015). Impact of early intervention on psychopathology, crime, and well-being at age 25. American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(1), 59–70. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13060786
Fazel, S., Doll, H., & Långström, N. (2008). Mental disorders among adolescents in juvenile detention and correctional facilities: A systematic review and metaregression analysis of 25 surveys. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 47(9), 1010–1019. https://doi.org/10.1097/CHI.ObO13e31817eecf3
Finkelhor, D., Ormrod, R. K., & Turner, H. A. (2007). Poly-victimization: A neglected component in child victimization. Child Abuse and Neglect, 31(1), 7–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2006.06.008
Ford, J. D., Hartman, J. K., Hawke, J., & Chapman, J. F. (2008). Traumatic victimization, posttraumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse risk among juvenile justice-involved youth. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 1(1), 75–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/19361520801934456
Gaete, J., Labbé, N., del Villar, P., Allende, C., & Valenzuela, E. (2014). Prevalencia de trastornos psiquiátricos en adolescentes infractores de ley en Chile. Revista Médica de Chile, 142(11), 1377–1384. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0034-98872014001100003
George, D., & Mallery, P. (2016). IBM SPSS statistics 23 step by step: A simple guide and reference. Londers: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315545899
Gretton, H. M., & Clift, R. J. W. (2011). The mental health needs of incarcerated youth in British Columbia, Canada. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 34(2), 109–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2011.02.004
Grisso, T., & Barnum, R. (2006). Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Version 2: User’s manual and technical report. Florida: Professional Resource Press.
Grisso, T., Barnum, R., Fletcher, K., Cauffman, E., & Peuschold, D. (2000). Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument for mental health needs of juvenile justice youths. Journal of The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 40(5), 541–548. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-200105000-00013
Grisso, T.; Barnum, R.; Arbach, K. & Orpianessi, C. (2018). Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument - Version 2: Traducción de ítems para Argentina. Manuscrito no publicado.
Grisso, T., Vincent, G., & Seagrave, D. (2005). Mental Health Screening and Assessment in Juvenile Justice. New York: The Guilford Press.
Hammersley, R., Marsland, L., & Reid, M. (2003). Substance use by young offenders: the impact of the normalisation of drug use in the early years of the 21st century. London: Home Office Research Studies. https://doi.org/10.1037/e454962008-001
Hayes, L. (2009). Juvenile suicide in confinement: A national survey. Washington: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Hayes, M., McReynolds, L. S., & Wasserman, G. A. (2005). Paper and voice MAYSI-2: Format comparability and concordance with the voice DISC-IV. Assessment, 12(4), 395–403. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191105280359
Henson, B., Wilcox, P., Reyns, B. W., & Cullen, F. T. (2010). Gender, adolescent lifestyles, and violent victimization: Implications for Routine Activity Theory. Victims & Offenders, 5(4), 303–328. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2010.509651
Hoge, R. D. (2012). Forensic assessments of juveniles: Practice and legal considerations. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 39(9), 1255–1270. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854812444024
Lazarus, R. S. & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.
Ley N° 26.061. (2014). Ley de Protección integral de los derechos de niñas, niños y adolescentes. In Boletín Oficial de la Nación Argentina. Ministerio de Justicia y Derechos Humanos, Presidencia de la Nación Argentina. Recuperado de http://www.jus.gob.ar/media/3108870/ley_26061_proteccion_de_ni_os.pdf
Livanou, M., Furtado, V., Winsper, C., Silvester, A., & Singh, S. P. (2019). Prevalence of mental disorders and symptoms among incarcerated youth: A meta-analysis of 30 studies. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 18(4), 400–414. https://doi.org/10.1080/14999013.2019.1619636
McArdle, S. & Lambie, I. (2018). Screening for mental health needs of New Zealand youth in secure care facilities using the MAYSI-2. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 28(3), 239–254. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbm.2067
Montero, I. & Leon, O. (2002). Clasificación y descripción de las metodologías de investigación en Psicología. Revista Internacional de Psicología Clínica y de La Salud, 2(3), 503–508.
Moore, E., Gaskin, C., & Indig, D. (2015). Attempted suicide, self-harm, and psychological disorder among young offenders in custody. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 21(3), 243–254. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078345815584849
Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2008). La atención primaria de salud, más necesaria que nunca. Informe sobre la salud en el mundo 2008. Recuperado de https://www.who.int/whr/2008/08_report_es.pdf
Orpianesi, C. (2018). Perfil de los adolescentes en conflicto con la ley penal en la provincia de Córdoba. Informe técnico. Córdoba: Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba.
Penn, J. V. & Thomas, C. (2005). Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of youth in juvenile detention and correctional facilities. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 44(10), 1085–1098. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.chi.0000175325.14481.21
Penner, E. K., Roesch, R., & Viljoen, J. L. (2011). Young offenders in custody: An international comparison of mental health services. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 10(3), 215–232. https://doi.org/10.1080/14999013.2011.598427
Pérez-Álvarez, M. (2019). Diagnóstico más allá de los síntomas: un enfoque centrado en el mundo de la vida de las personas. Cuadernos de Psiquiatría Comunitaria, 16(1), 22–38.
Schubert, C. A., Mulvey, E. P., & Glasheen, C. (2011). Influence of mental health and substance use problems and criminogenic risk on outcomes in serious juvenile offenders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 50(9), 925–937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2011.06.006
Schufelt, J. & Cocozza, J. (2006). Youth with mental health disorders in the juvenile justice system: Results from a multi-state prevalence study. NCMHJJ Research and Program Brief. Recuperado de https://www.unicef.org/tdad/usmentalhealthprevalence06(1).pdf
Scott, M., Underwood, M., & Lamis, D. A. (2015). Suicide and related-behavior among youth involved in the Juvenile Justice System. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 32(6), 517–527. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-015-0390-8
Secretaría de Derechos Humanos. (2010). Justicia restaurativa en el sistema de responsabilidad penal juvenil: conceptos, perspectivas y mecanismos procesales para su implementación. Buenos Aires: Ministerio de Justicia, Seguridad y Derechos Humanos de la República Argentina.
Secretaría de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (2017). Adolescentes ingresados al centro de admisión y diagnóstico del Complejo Esperanza por presunta infracción de la ley penal. Protocolo de actuación. Córdoba: Secretaría de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia, Gobierno de la Provincia de Córdoba.
Shaffer, D., Fisher, P., Lucas, C., Hilsenroth, M. J., & Segal, D. L. (2004). The diagnostic interview schedule for children (DISC). En M. J. Hilsenroth & D. L. Segal (Eds.), Comprehensive Handbook of Psychological Assessment (2da ed., pp. 256–270). New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Shulman, E. P., Bechtold, J., Kelly, E. L., & Cauffman, E. (2018). Mental health screening in juvenile justice settings: Evaluating the utility of the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument, version 2. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 29(8), 849–872. https://doi.org/10.1177/0887403416650250
Stathis, S., Letters, P., Doolan, I., Fleming, R., Heath, K., Arnett, A., & Cory, S. (2008). Use of the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument to assess mental health problems in young people within an Australian youth detention center. Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 44(7–8), 438–443. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1754.2008.01324.x
Stokes, M. L., McCoy, K. P., Abram, K. M., Byck, G. R., & Teplin, L. A. (2015). Suicidal ideation and behavior in youth in the juvenile Justice system: A review of the literature. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 21(3), 222–242. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078345815587001
Suárez-Soto, E., Pereda, N., & Guilera, G. (2018). ¿Víctimas o delincuentes? Jóvenes implicados en los sistemas de protección y justicia juvenil en Cataluña: Un estudio exploratorio. Revista de Victimología, 8, 103–130.
Tavakol, M. & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach’s alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2(1), 53–55. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd
Tovar, J. (2007). Psicometria: Tests psicométricos, confiabilidad y validez. En A. Quintana & W. Montgomery (Eds.), Psicología: Tópicos de actualidad (pp. 85–108). Lima: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos.
Tribunal Superior de Justicia. (2016). Adolescentes privados de la libertad conforme al procedimiento penal juvenil por presunta infracción de la ley penal en Córdoba Capital. Recuperado de http://www.justiciacordoba.gov.ar/cepj/_Estudios/Estudios.aspx
Underwood, L. A. & Washington, A. (2016). Mental illness and juvenile offenders. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13020228
UNICEF. (2015). Relevamiento nacional sobre adolescentes en conflicto con la ley penal. Informe anual. Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia. Recuperado de https://www.unicef.org/argentina/informes/relevamiento-nacional-sobre-adolescentes-en-conflicto-con-la-ley-penal
UNICEF. (2016). Estado de la situación de la niñez y la adolescencia en Argentina. Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia. Recuperado de https://www.unicef.org/argentina/media/2211/file/SITAN.pdf
UNICEF. (2018). Las voces de las y los adolescentes privados de libertad en Argentina. Centro de Estudios de Población. Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia. Recuperado de https://www.unicef.org/argentina/media/3936/file
UNODC. (2019). Killing of children and young adults. Global Study on Homicide. Oficina de drogas y delito de las Naciones Unidas. Recuperado de https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/global-study-on-homicide.html
Vermeiren, R. (2003). Psychopathology and delinquency in adolescents: A descriptive and developmental perspective. Clinical Psychology Review, 23(2), 277–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-7358(02)00227-1
Vincent, G. M., Grisso, T., Terry, A., & Banks, S. (2008). Sex and race differences in mental health symptoms in Juvenile Justice: The MAYSI-2 national meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 47(3), 282–290. https://doi.org/10.1097/CHI.0b013e318160d516
White, L., Lau, K., & Aalsma, M. (2016). Detained adolescents: Mental health needs, treatment use, and recidivism. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 44(2), 200–212.
Wilson, H. A. & Hoge, R. D. (2013). The effect of youth diversion programs on recidivism: A meta-analytic review. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 40(5), 497–518. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854812451089
Wolf, A., Gray, R., & Fazel, S. (2014). Violence as a public health problem: An ecological study of 169 countries. Social Science and Medicine, 104, 220–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.12.006
Zannella, L., Eno Louden, J., Kennealy, P., & Kang, T. (2018). Psychometric properties of the MAYSI-2 among Latino adolescent offenders. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 45(8), 1252–1268. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854818774380
Copyright (c) 2021 Psicodebate
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to grant Psicodebate copyright and right of publication and accept the work being licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the authors and Psicodebate.
