Citation

Harnisher JL, Abram KM, Washburn J, Stokes M, Azores-Gococo N, Teplin L. Juv. Fam. Court J. 2015; 66(3): 1-18.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Health Disparities and Public Policy Program, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 North Lake Shore Dr., Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60611 ( healthdisparities@northwestern.edu ).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/jfcj.12029

PMID

26405364

PMCID

PMC4577059

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of loss due to death and its association with mental disorders in a random sample of 898 newly detained adolescents in Chicago, Illinois. Nearly 90% of youth experienced the loss of an important person; most had also experienced a "high-risk" loss (e.g., loss due to violence, sudden loss). Minority youth were at particular risk. Youth with any loss or multiple losses were more likely to have mood disorders and ADHD/behavioral disorders, respectively, than youth who had no such losses. Interventions focusing on modifiable protective factors following loss may increase positive outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Keywords: Juvenile delinquency; Juvenile justice

Language: en