Citation

Stokes ML, McCoy KP, Abram KM, Byck GR, Teplin LA. J. Correct. Health Care 2015; 21(3): 222-242.

Affiliation

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA healthdisparities@northwestern.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, National Commission on Correctional Health Care (USA), Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1078345815587001

PMID

26084946

Abstract

Suicide is prevalent among youth, especially those involved in the juvenile justice system. Although many studies have examined suicidal ideation and behavior in delinquent youth, prevalence rates vary widely. This article reviews studies of suicidal ideation and behavior in youth in the juvenile justice system, focusing on the point of contact: incarceration status and stage of judicial processing. Suicidal ideation and behavior are prevalent and increase with greater involvement in the juvenile justice system. Depression, sexual abuse, and trauma were the most commonly identified predictors of suicidal ideation and behavior. Prevalence rates of suicidal ideation and behavior vary by gender and race/ethnicity, indicating the need for gender-specific and culturally relevant interventions.

Language: en