Study of suicide risk in young male offenders: Differential characteristics of adolescents most at risk
Young offenders are at risk for suicide (completed suicides and attempts). Risk factors, such as violence and family instability, are linked both to suicide and delinquency. Moreover, other factors, such as carrying of weapon and substance abuse, are associated to delinquent lifestyle and could therefore increase the risk of suicide behaviours. In addition to these factors, the consequences of delinquency (e.g.: court-ordered break ups with friends, uncertainties concerning legal problems, living in centres for young offenders) can contribute to heighten the risk of suicide. In this context, results from a study on suicidal risk in young offenders who are taken in charge by Centre jeunesse de Montréal – Institut universitaire (CJM-IU) are discussed in this paper. This quantitative study includes 49 young offenders under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. From this sample, 37.6% showed a suicidal risk. We then ran a cluster analysis to distinguish two groups of young offenders: the first group comprises 20 adolescents with multiple psychological difficulties (multi-risks), the second group consists of 28 youths who present less difficulties (low risk). These two groups of juvenile offenders are described by their associated characteristics, leading to a preliminary classification of young offenders who are more and less at risk for psychological difficulties, including suicide. Finally, we study the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with regards of the two groups created by the cluster analysis. Young offenders from the multi-risk group more frequently suffer from a PTSD than low risk youths, despite an equivalent prevalence of traumas. In conclusion, this study propose a description of young offenders the most at risk of suicide. From our results, we then propose recommendations for global interventions and treatment for young offenders, including psychological aspects and past experiences.