NCJ Number
242740
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 51 Issue: 8 Dated: November - December 2012 Pages: 497-518
Date Published
December 2012
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This research examines attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among youth in the juvenile justice system,
Abstract
There is limited research regarding attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among youth in the juvenile justice system, but the existing research demonstrates higher rates of difficulties, including substance abuse, parental dysfunction, and school issues. There is, however, little knowledge regarding the impact of detainment on delinquent youth with an ADHD diagnosis, which is the focus of this study. The main research question is if detained youth diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to be rearrested and/or reconvicted, while considering the impact of the type of detention facility to which the individual youth is assigned (treatment or a traditional facility). The findings indicate that there is a statistically significant relationship between an ADHD diagnosis, the interaction between ADHD and the type of detention facility, and reconviction. Offenders with ADHD were more likely to recidivate than non-ADHD youth and the youth with ADHD detained in the treatment center appear to have a negative outcome. The research points to the difficulties that juveniles with ADHD face as they attempt to navigate successfully through the juvenile justice system and considers a number of treatment protocol factors to reflect on when working with ADHD youth. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.