| Youth with comorbid depression and conduct disorder (CD) in the juvenile justice system are a particularly vulnerable population. Comorbidity of depression and CD, as well as juvenile justice involvement, is associated independently with impairment and negative outcomes. Nevertheless, service provision to this high-need population is especially lacking. The purpose of this study is to better understand the needs and strengths of youth with comorbid depression and CD in the juvenile justice system and to identify important targets for future intervention.;The study sample is comprised of 414 arrested and detained youth identified as having both significant depression and antisocial behavior through the Illinois Mental Health Juvenile Justice (MHJJ) initiative, a statewide program modeled after wraparound philosophy that links youth to community-based services and assesses outcomes. Youth's mental health needs and strengths at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months into MHJJ were assessed via the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths-Mental Health Scale (CANS-MH) completed by MHJJ clinical liaisons. Statistical methods included descriptive analyses, and univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression.;Results indicated a high level of mental health needs overall at baseline, consistent with the literature. In general, youth were unlikely to show improvement in depression without improvement in antisocial behavior, suggesting that CD outcomes may precede and perhaps facilitate depression outcomes. Overall, baseline risk behaviors and strengths had the greatest influence on outcomes, independent of other predictors. Youth with greater risk behaviors at baseline were less likely to show any improvement at 3 months, particularly in antisocial behavior. Comparatively, youth with identified strengths, overall and in specific areas (i.e., optimism, psychological wellbeing, interpersonal and vocational skills, and community ties), were more likely to show improvement in depression and/or antisocial behavior at both time periods. Additionally, substance abuse problems, poor family functioning, lack of supervision, school behavior problems, and caregiver health problems were each uniquely associated with negative outcomes. Findings highlight critical areas for assessment and intervention in the juvenile justice system. This study supports multifaceted, integrated, and strengths-based approaches to meeting the considerable needs of youth with comorbid depression and CD in the juvenile justice system. |
