More juveniles are involved in the criminal justice system than ever before. Recent literature reviews speculate that many juvenile detainees have alcohol, drug or mental (ADM) disorders and require services. Yet, no study has ever examined ADM service needs and service utilization among juvenile detainees. Prior studies have focused only on the presence of disorder, and have not examined other aspects of need such as functional impairment. Even these studies, however, have serious methodological problems: (1) Non-Representative Samples; (2) Problems in Measurement; (3) Insufficient Sample Size; and (4) Lack of Comorbidity Data. The proposed project is the first step in the complex task of assessing the extent of impairment and ADM service needs of juvenile detainees. We have two specific aims: (1) ADM SERVICE NEEDS. To assess the ADM service needs (including diagnosis, ADM comorbidity and functional impairment) using a stratified random sample of 1800 male and female juvenile detainees. (2) DETECTION AND SERVICE UTILIZATION. To determine the extent that juvenile detainees who need ADM services receive them, either while in the custody of the criminal justice system or as part of their case disposition. The proposed study has four methodological advantages over prior research: (1) a systematic random sampling strategy; (2) a sufficiently large N (600 females and 1200 males); (3) reliable instruments (e.g., the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC)); and (4) comorbidity data. The proposed study responds to the NIMH National Plan for Research on Child and Adolescent Mental Disorder, which called for research on mental health services in the juvenile justice system.
| Welty, Leah J; Harrison, Anna J; Abram, Karen M et al. (2016) Health Disparities in Drug- and Alcohol-Use Disorders: A 12-Year Longitudinal Study of Youths After Detention. Am J Public Health 106:872-80 |
| Elkington, Katherine S; Teplin, Linda A; Abram, Karen M et al. (2015) Psychiatric disorders and violence: a study of delinquent youth after detention. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 54:302-12.e5 |
| Abram, Karen M; Zwecker, Naomi A; Welty, Leah J et al. (2015) Comorbidity and continuity of psychiatric disorders in youth after detention: a prospective longitudinal study. JAMA Psychiatry 72:84-93 |
| Teplin, Linda A; Jakubowski, Jessica A; Abram, Karen M et al. (2014) Firearm homicide and other causes of death in delinquents: a 16-year prospective study. Pediatrics 134:63-73 |
| Lansing, Amy E; Washburn, Jason J; Abram, Karen M et al. (2014) Cognitive and academic functioning of juvenile detainees: implications for correctional populations and public health. J Correct Health Care 20:18-30 |
| Teplin, Linda A; Welty, Leah J; Abram, Karen M et al. (2012) Prevalence and persistence of psychiatric disorders in youth after detention: a prospective longitudinal study. Arch Gen Psychiatry 69:1031-43 |
| King, Devon C; Abram, Karen M; Romero, Erin G et al. (2011) Childhood maltreatment and psychiatric disorders among detained youths. Psychiatr Serv 62:1430-8 |
| Abram, Karen M; Choe, Jeanne Y; Washburn, Jason J et al. (2009) Functional impairment in youth three years after detention. J Adolesc Health 44:528-35 |
| Abram, Karen M; Choe, Jeanne Y; Washburn, Jason J et al. (2008) Suicidal ideation and behaviors among youths in juvenile detention. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 47:291-300 |
| Choe, Jeanne Y; Teplin, Linda A; Abram, Karen M (2008) Perpetration of violence, violent victimization, and severe mental illness: balancing public health concerns. Psychiatr Serv 59:153-64 |
Showing the most recent 10 out of 25 publications
