O-17 The Association Between Sociodemographic Factors, Psychiatric Disorders and Juvenile Delinquency Among Patients Remanded to Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre Bahamas Between Jan 2011 to Dec 2020
Author(s):
K Orimma, E Combie, A Richards, M Anthony, C Frankson
Year of Presentation:
2023
Objective: This study examined association between sociodemographic characteristics, mental problems, and juvenile delinquency in patients admitted on court remand. Hypothesis: RQ1: Does socio-demographics affect psychiatric disorders? H01: Sociodemographic characteristics do not significantly affect psychiatric diseases. Ha1 Sociodemographic characteristics predict psychiatric illnesses.RQ2: Does socio-demographics affect adolescent delinquency? H02 Sociodemographic characteristics do not predict juvenile delinquency. Ha2 Sociodemographic factors predict juvenile delinquency. RQ3 Can psychiatric illness cause juvenile delinquency? H03 Psychiatric illnesses do not predict juvenile criminality. Ha3 Psychiatric diagnoses predict juvenile delinquency.
Methods: Research design: This was a retrospective chart review and the study population included all adolescents ages 9–18 remanded by the court to the Child and Adolescent Unit for delinquent offenses. Exclusion criteria included (1) medical records of patients admitted merely on a care order through the department of social services (children in need of care). (2) Under-9 and over-18 patients. (3) Patients with unreadable medical records.
Results: Age and school enrollment substantially influenced educational level (p<0.001). Their number of admissions correlated with their living arrangement (p<0.001). The most common diagnoses were drug use disorder 239 (51.8%), disruptive behavior disorder 37.7%, conduct disorder 36.7%, oppositional defiant disorder 10.4%, major depressive disorder 3.9%, and post-traumatic stress disorder 17.7%. Uncontrollable behavior (173), aggravated assault (87), and burglary (56). Male sex, living with parents and siblings, living with relatives, and enrollment in grades 9-10 and 11-12 predicted drug-related status violations. Substance use disorder predicted drug-related status offenses (p =.000). Substance-abusing women were more likely to act out. Males were 11 times more likely than females to burglarize, and those with disruptive behavior disorders were 2.5 times more probable.
Conclusion: Research shows psychosocial disadvantage and mental illness cause juvenile criminality. To reduce negative effects and optimize psychosocial functioning, these correlations must be identified and managed. This will involve sensitizing parents, schools, health professionals, and vulnerable communities to delinquency and mental health issues and empowering them to seek care.