Citation

Stoddard‐Dare P, Mallett CA, Boitel C. Child Adolesc. Ment. Health 2011; 16(4): 208-213.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1475-3588.2011.00599.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Background: Youth involved with juvenile courts often suffer from mental health difficulties and disorders, and these mental health disorders have often been a factor leading to the youth's delinquent behaviours and activities.

Method: The present study of a sample population (N = 341), randomly drawn from one urban US county's juvenile court delinquent population, investigated which specific mental health disorders predicted detention for committing a personal crime.

Results: Youth with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder diagnoses were significantly less likely to commit personal crimes and experience subsequent detention, while youth with bipolar diagnoses were significantly more likely.

Conclusion: Co‐ordinated youth policy efforts leading to early identification and treatment of bipolar disorder symptoms may be necessary.