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Turner D, Wolf AJ, Barra S, Müller M, Gregório Hertz P, Huss M, Tüscher O, Retz W. The association between adverse childhood experiences and mental health problems in young offenders. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2021; 30:1195-1207. [PMID: 32740721 PMCID: PMC8310856 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-020-01608-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
High rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs, e.g., abuse and neglect) have been found in young offenders. Furthermore, ACEs seem to increase the risk of developing relevant mental health problems, in non-offending juveniles and adults. However, this association has only seldomly been addressed in offending juveniles and young adults. The present study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of ACEs and mental health problems as well as their association within a sample of male and female young offenders. Altogether, 161 adolescent and young adult offenders (16.8% females) from the youth detention center Worms (Germany) filled out questionnaires concerning ACEs and mental health problems with a focus on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and intermittent explosive disorder. Considerable rates of mental health problems were found, e.g., a prevalence of 35.9% was found for intermittent explosive disorder. Furthermore, a greater proportion of the female offenders fell into the clinically significant category for somatic complaints, anxiety/depression, and attention problems than the male offenders. Female young offenders also reported more frequently about all forms of ACEs compared to the male offenders. Latent class analysis defined three subtypes of young offenders depending on their individual ACE patterns: (1) low ACEs, (2) mainly neglectful ACEs, and (3) multiple ACEs. ACEs were significantly associated with the occurrence of both internalizing and externalizing mental health disturbances, with the multiple-ACE subtype being most likely to report about significant mental health problems. The results of the present study point towards the relevance to routinely assess ACEs in young offenders to identify possible precursors of mental health problems and of future criminal behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Turner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Anne Jule Wolf
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Steffen Barra
- Neurocenter - Institute for Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Priscilla Gregório Hertz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Huss
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Oliver Tüscher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Retz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
- Neurocenter - Institute for Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
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Tolou-Shams M, Harrison A, Hirschtritt ME, Dauria E, Barr-Walker J. Substance Use and HIV Among Justice-Involved Youth: Intersecting Risks. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2019; 16:37-47. [PMID: 30734906 PMCID: PMC6597179 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-019-00424-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review discusses recent advances in research on the intersection of HIV prevention and substance use among youth involved with the justice system. We discuss current themes of recent findings and provide guidance for researchers, policymakers, and clinicians on the next steps in advancing work in this nascent area. RECENT FINDINGS Of the 46 studies that measured HIV risk and substance use among justice-involved youth, 56% were cross-sectional designs, 22% were intervention trials, and 22% were longitudinal designs. Cross-sectional studies suggested that substance use is highly associated with HIV risk behaviors. Longitudinal analyses underscored the importance of understanding contextual risk factors, such as trauma and violence. Intervention trials demonstrated improved scientific rigor of behavioral approaches. Despite recent advances, research in this field remains limited. Future directions include longer follow-up periods, consideration of biomedical HIV-prevention interventions, and a focus on dissemination and implementation science of efficacious interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Tolou-Shams
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Division of Infant Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Anna Harrison
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Division of Infant Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, San Francisco, CA, USA
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matthew E Hirschtritt
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute, 401 Parnassus Ave, 94143, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Emily Dauria
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Division of Infant Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jill Barr-Walker
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- ZSFG Library, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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