Detecting Mental Disorder in Juvenile Detainees: Who Receives Services
Linda A. Teplin, PhD,
Karen M. Abram, PhD,
Gary M. McClelland, PhD,
Jason J. Washburn, PhD and
Ann K. Pikus, BS
At the time of the study, the authors were with the Psycho-Legal Studies Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill.
Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Linda A. Teplin, PhD, Psycho-Legal Studies Program, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 606113078 (e-mail: psycho-legal{at}northwestern.edu).
Objectives. We determined whether or not juvenile detaineeswith major mental disorders received treatment, and the variablesthat predicted who received services.
Methods. Our sample was 1829 randomly selected juvenile detaineestaking part in the Northwestern Juvenile Project. To determineneed for mental health services, independent interviewers administeredthe Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children and rated functionalimpairment using the Child Global Assessment Scale. Recordson service provision were obtained from the juvenile justiceand public health systems.
Results. Among detainees who had major mental disorders andassociated functional impairments, 15.4% received treatmentin the detention center and 8.1% received treatment in the communityby the time of case disposition or 6 months, whichever camefirst. Significantly more girls than boys were detected andtreated. Receiving treatment was predicted by clinical variables(having a major mental disorder or reported treatment historyor suicidal behavior) and demographic variables.
Conclusions. The challenge to public health is to provide accessible,innovative, and effective treatments to juvenile detainees,a population that is often beyond the reach of traditional services.
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