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Mental Health Needs of Community Based Young Offenders in a City Setting
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Marshall, Ruth Theodosiou, Louise Pease, Benedict Kirby, Natalie Ark, Jade |
| Copyright Year | 2011 |
| Abstract | Introduction Psychiatric morbidity among young offenders is increasingly recognised as a key area. Several studies have demonstrated the high prevalence of psychological disorders. Kessler (2007) identified that the mental health, educational and social needs of young offenders are often inadequately assessed or met, possibly exacerbating recidivism due to insufficient care pathways to facilitate rehabilitation. Furthermore, young offenders are noted to have significantly increased mortality rates highlighting the importance of addressing their mental health needs (Coffey, Veit, Wolfe, Cini and Patton, 2003). The International Classification of Diseases--Version 10 uses the concept of a multiaxial diagnosis, encouraging the clinician to identify the impact of migration, discrimination and family turmoil. In this context, the Youth Justice Board report Differences or Discrimination (2004) is of note, it identified higher rates of prosecution among Black males and higher rates of detention for Black, Asian and mixed parentage young people within the criminal justice system. This suggests that we are examining a demographic that can alter a young person's experience of the world around them. This report uses the terms 'Black', 'White' and 'Asian' and these are the terms used in this paper. We acknowledge the limitations of this system of description, and are mindful of the British Medical Journal guidance; 'Try to use accurate descriptions of race, ethnicity, and culture rather than catch all terms in common use. In the methods section of research articles describe the logic behind any ethnic groupings used.' The 2001 United Kingdom (UK) census identified over 5.3 million people aged between 16 - 24, representing 11% of the population. In this city setting, 16-24 year olds comprised 18% of the population. Overall 13.5 % of young people in the UK are of Black or ethnic minority origin, however in this urban setting, 21.8% of people aged 16-24 are of Black or ethnic minority origin. Thus there is a need to understand the mental health needs of this youthful and diverse city population. Furthermore, Green, McGinnity, Meltzer, Ford, Goodman (2004) identified that approximately 12% of young people between 11-16 had a mental health need. A recent study conducted by Hackett, Theodosiou, Blackburn, Lever and Spicer (2011) found that 18% of 11-16 year olds scored abnormally on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The SDQ has been used in a range of studies both nationally (Green et al., 2004) and in local settings (Hackett et al., 2011). This 25 item questionnaire is available to be downloaded freely in a range of languages, normative data is available on the website. The answers can be scored using a free online system or a scoring sheet can be downloaded. The results are clustered in five symptom subheadings; Emotional, Conduct, Hyperactivity, Peer and Prosocial. Adding together the first four produces a summative score of need. A final section asks the person completing the tool to score the impact of the symptoms on the young person. All seven categories are scored as normal, borderline and abnormal. The Conners Questionnaire (Conners, Wells, Parker, Sitarenios, Diamond and Powell, 1997) is a widely used screening tool for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Kumar and Steer, 2003). Results are clustered into four subheadings; conduct problems, inattention, hyperactivity and 'at risk' of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Teplin, Abram, McClelland, Mericle, Dulcan, Washburn and Shiraz (2007) reported that half of a sample of young offenders in custody assessed displayed an affective or anxiety disorder. Young people were more likely to have ADHD or behavioural disorders comorbid with substance misuse than any other combination of disorder. Furthermore, among adolescent substance users disorders such as anxiety are generally associated with more severe substance use (Whitmore, Mikulich, Thompson, Riggs, Aarons and Crowley, 1997), although if this is recognised these young offenders tend to have better treatment outcomes (Randall, Henggeler, Pickrel and Brondino, 1999). … |
| Starting Page | 41 |
| Ending Page | 41 |
| Page Count | 1 |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Volume Number | 9 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://www.mmuperu.co.uk/assets/uploads/bjcj_files/BJCJ-9-3-Marshall-et-al-FULL.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
