title: Psychosocial and reincarceration risks among older adults in mental health courts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Older adults are increasingly involved in the criminal justice system, yet there is limited research regarding their needs and experiences. This study examined differences in psychosocial experiences and reincarceration between older and younger adults with psychiatric disorders involved in the criminal justice system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (N = 80) were recruited from two mental health courts in the midwestern United States. Bivariate analyses examined age-related differences in psychosocial experiences and reincarceration between younger and older participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Older adults, on average, experienced more treatment adherence and fewer probation violations than younger adults during the 6-month follow-up; however, they experienced comparable risk for reincarceration. Older adults' substance use, service use, housing instability, and program retention were similar to their younger counterparts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite older mental health court participants' treatment adherence and reduced probation violations, they are at risk for incarceration, substance use, and housing instability.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. Electronic address: canadake@missouri.edu.
authors.forename: Kelli E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Canada
authors.affiliation: School of Social Policy & Practice,University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Malitta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Engstrom
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.
authors.forename: Eunyoung
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003416:Criminal Law; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D011329:Prisoners / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Psychosocial and recidivism risk; older age; psychiatric disorders
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