Prevalence and Correlates of Criminal Activity in Adolescents Treated in Adult Inpatient Mental Health Beds in Ontario, Canada

Using logistic regression, this study seeks to examine the prevalence and correlates of criminal involvement in the previous year among adolescents in inpatient psychiatric facilities across Ontario, Canada. A sample of 2,613 adolescents aged 12 to 18years who were admitted to adult inpatient mental health beds were examined. Just over one quarter of adolescents engaged in criminal activity within the past year. Older age, male gender, previous psychiatric admissions, a history of child abuse, poor insight into mental illness, substance use, specific types of mental health disorders, and aggressive behavior were all significantly associated with the presence of prior criminal activity. The well-founded association between mental health problems, substance use, and criminal behavior highlights the need for effective screening in settings providing services in the areas of juvenile justice, mental health, and addictions. Clinician awareness in all three settings is recommended so that these factors associated with at-risk behavior can be identified and appropriate treatment and referrals can be provided at the earliest point of involvement with any of these service systems.