Citation

Kemp K, Tolou-Shams M, Conrad S, Dauria E, Neel K, Brown L. J. Forensic Psychol. Pract. 2016; 16(3): 169-181.

Affiliation

Bradley/Hasbro Children's Research Center/Rhode Island Hospital and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 1 Hoppin Street, Suite 204, Providence, RI 02903.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15228932.2016.1172424

PMID

29142507

PMCID

PMC5682589

Abstract

Over the past decade, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among adolescents and a public health priority. Court-involved non-incarcerated juvenile justice youth frequently present with risk factors for suicide. Among these court-involved youth, 14% (n=50) endorsed a lifetime history of suicide ideation and attempts. Three main factors were associated with increased risk: prior offense, substance use, and childhood sexual abuse histories. This study highlights the importance of understanding suicidal behavior among non-detained juvenile justice populations. Community-based court involvement provides a rare opportunity to coordinate screening and suicide prevention efforts for youth and their families.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescents; juvenile justice; mental health; screening; suicide