title: The impact of length of placement on self-reported mental health problems in detained Jordanian youth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study reports the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among youths placed in juvenile correctional facilities in Jordan and describes the effect of length of stay on mental health outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Youth Self Report (YSR) was administered to 187 adolescent males (mean age=16.4, SD=1.0) in all five juvenile detention facilities in Jordan in 2011. Descriptive statistics were calculated to estimate the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems. Logistic regression models were estimated to evaluate the impact of placement length on mental health. Statistical models were weighted by the youth propensity to be 'long-stay' youths (>23 weeks) based on preplacement case characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of clinically significant emotional and behavioral problems was 84%. 46% had YSR scores above the clinical cutpoint in both the internalizing and externalizing subscales. 24% of youths reported suicidal ideation. The high prevalence of emotional and behavioral disorders was stable across placement for most YSR subscales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of emotional and behavioral disorders among detained and incarcerated youth in Jordan mirrors the literature worldwide. These findings suggest that serious mental health problems for many youths persist throughout placement.
authors: Columbia University School of Social Work, 1255 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10027, United States. css2109@columbia.edu
authors: Craig S
authors: CS
authors: Schwalbe
authors: Robin E
authors: RE
authors: Gearing
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Mackenzie
authors: Kathryne B
authors: KB
authors: Brewer
authors: Rawan W
authors: RW
authors: Ibrahim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007597:Jordan; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011329:Prisoners / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology*; D011330:Prisons / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012008:Recurrence; D012647:Self-Assessment; D014480:United Nations