Measurement of psychiatric risk in youth in the justice system is variable across jurisdictions, rarely employing new methods for comprehensive, rapid and reliable assessment. This project evaluates the feasibility and utility of providing standardized psychiatric assessments for youth in correctional settings, using an interview well designed to overcome obstacles of low institutional resources and poor reading attainment. By agreement with Departments of Juvenile Justice in Illinois (N=100 males), New Jersey (N=200 males) and South Carolina (N=125 males, 125 females), we are interviewing youth in each state’s Reception Center, following admission to corrections, using the Voice Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (V-DISC-IV), a computerized, comprehensive diagnostic interview, delivered via headphones. The assessment included information about 20 different psychiatric disorders. We examine the contribution of parallel parent phone interviews, youth barriers to interview completion, prevalence of disorder, and degree to which the DISC relates to criminal charges and correctional course. Initial data (N=292) indicate 42.8% of interviewed youth have one or two DSM-IV diagnoses; 21.6% report 3 or more; high proportions report anxiety (18.2%) or affective (11%) diagnoses. Pattern of diagnoses conforms expectably to recorded presenting offense. The instrument is acceptable to both staff and youth. This interview can be effectively administered in correctional settings, where it uncovers a high need for psychiatric services. Prevalence for psychiatric disorder is high among these youth, corresponding to the few interviewer-based studies employing comprehensive instruments.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the learner will 1. Recognize the high levels of psychiatric disorder in youth in justice settings. 2. Increase awareness of range of service needs of youth in corrections. 3. Identify new methods for screening for mental health problems in justice populations.
Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Correctional Institutions
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.