Early Identification of Suicide Risk Factors Among Justice-Involved Youth

• Published date: 01 May 2022
• DOI: 10.1177/00938548211059504
• Date: 01 May 2022
• Subject Matter: Articles

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR, 2022, Vol. 49, No. 5, May 2022, 730 –744.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548211059504

Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions

© 2021 International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology

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EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF SUICIDE RISK

FACTORS AMONG JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUTH

KATHLEEN KEMP

BRITTNEY POINDEXTER

Rhode Island Hospital

Brown University

MEI YI NG

Florida International University

VICTORIA CORREIA

Rhode Island Hospital

BRANDON D. L. MARSHALL

Brown University

DAPHNE KOINIS-MITCHELL

Rhode Island Hospital

Brown University

MARINA TOLOU-SHAMS

University of California San Francisco

Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors among juvenile justice populations are elevated. However, the characteristics of justice-

involved youth who consider and attempt suicide are not well understood. This study examined suicidal ideation and attempt

with first-time, preadjudicated diverted youth, and the relationship with commonly associated risk factors. The sample

included 135 youth (50% male, Mage = 14.48) that provided complete responses to self-reported lifetime suicidal ideation

and attempt items. Analyses examined relationships between suicidal ideation/attempt and mental health, child welfare

involvement, delinquency, self-cutting, and substance use. First time, preadjudicated diverted youth reported high rates of

lifetime suicidal ideation (27%) and attempt (17%). Suicidal ideation and attempt were associated with sexually minoritized

status and self-cutting, while child welfare involvement was only associated with suicidal ideation. This high-risk population

would benefit from refined suicide screening and prevention services not always available to justice-involved youth living in

the community.

Keywords: suicidal ideation; suicide attempt; juvenile justice; substance use

AUTHORS’ NOTE: We have no conflict of interest to disclose. This study was funded by grants from the

National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA; R01DA034538) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH;

K23MH111606) to Rhode Island Hospital. NIDA nor NIMH had any role in study design; collection, analysis,

and interpretation of the data; writing the report; and submitting the report for publication. We would like to

express gratitude to the youth and families who participated in this study as well as the juvenile court system and

staff.Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Kathleen Kemp, Rhode Island Hospital,

One Hoppin Street, CORO West Suite 204, Providence, RI 02903; e-mail: Kathleen_kemp@brown.edu.

1059504CJBXXX10.1177/00938548211059504Criminal Justice and BehaviorKemp et al. / EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF SUICIDE RISK FACTORS

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