Experiences of detained young offenders in need of mental health care.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the experiences of young people detained in the juvenile justice system and in need of mental health services.


METHODS
An ethnomethodological analysis was done using Kleinman's Explanatory Model Interview Guide to explore the perceptions of detained young people in need of mental health treatment.


RESULTS
Five themes were extracted from focus groups, indicating lack of control in their lives and lack of family and community support. Although participants expressed feelings of hopelessness and depression, they perceived that it was better to be tough than to be sick.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate the need for multimodal treatment interventions to sequentially address the multiple internal and external factors contributing to persistent problem behaviors in children.
Shelton
Deborah
D
Catholic University of America, School of Nursing, 620 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20064, USA. sheltond@cua.edu
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology*; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000150:complications; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology*; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009013:Morale; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications