Depression among incarcerated delinquents.
The authors examined the prevalence of depression among incarcerated delinquents and nonincarcerated, nondelinquent adolescents and reported a prevalence of 18% and 4%, respectively. The possible effect of incarceration on the development of depression was also studied. DSM-III diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorders were used. Of the 100 delinquents admitted consecutively to a detention center, 11 showed evidence of depression both during and before incarceration, while seven developed a depressive disorder in the center. With regard to specific symptoms, 100% of the depressed incarcerated adolescents were found to suffer from sleep difficulties, and 94% experienced disturbances of appetite. Psychomotor retardation or agitation were the symptoms least commonly observed.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012737:Sex Factors