NCJ Number
224572
Journal
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: 2008 Pages: 243-255
Date Published
2008
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Understanding the need for additional research examining associations between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and adolescent antisocial behavior, this study (1) examined the prevalence of TBI in a State population of incarcerated adolescents, (2) identified factors associated with elevated risk for TBI, and (3) evaluated whether and to what extent a history of TBI was associated with substance use problems, psychiatric symptoms, and antisocial behavior.
Abstract
Results indicate a high rate of TBI in the delinquent study group, nearly one in five (18.3 percent) of whom reported a potentially clinically important brain injury. Youths with TBIs were significantly more likely than youths without to be male, have received a psychiatric diagnosis, report an earlier onset of criminal behavior/substance use and more lifetime substance use problems and past year criminal acts, evidence psychiatric symptoms, report lifetime suicidality, be impulsive, fearless, and external in locus of control and criminally victimized in the year preceding incarceration. Male gender and frequency of own criminal victimization were important predictors of TBI in multivariate analyses. Regression analyses adjusted for demographic factors indicated that youths with TBIs were at a significantly elevated risk for current depressive/anxious symptoms, antisocial behavior, and substance abuse problems. TBIs range in severity from the sub-clinical to the fatal. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control reported that youths 15 to 19 were the age groups at highest risk for TBIs. Prior investigations suggest that delinquent youth may be at increased risk for TBI and related functional impairments. However, little is known about traumatic brain injuries and their correlates in this population. The purpose of this study was to examine the period prevalence and correlates of TBIs in delinquent youth. Interviews were conducted with 720 residents of 27 Missouri Division of Youth Services rehabilitation facilities in 2003. Tables and references