Prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities among children in conflict with law attending a tertiary care hospital

ABSTRACT Background: Studies in the Western world have repeatedly shown that young offenders have higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities than youth in the community. Given the growth of juvenile delinquency in India, data on their psychiatric evaluation are becoming increasingly important. This study is, therefore, an attempt toward this direction. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the psychopathology, emotional problems, and intelligence quotient among children in conflict with the law. Materials and Methods: Fifty consecutive juvenile delinquents attending our hospital who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited for the study after obtaining institutional ethical committee approval. We assessed our participants using a semi-structured questionnaire, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Child version-21 (items), the Child Behavior Checklist, the Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire, and the Binet Kamat Test. Results: Nearly 90% of our male juveniles were in the age group of 15–18 years, and the mean age of our sample was 16.2 ± 1.8 years. 84% belonged to a lower socioeconomic status (LSES). We found substance use disorder (SUD) (40%, n = 20), conduct disorder (30%, n = 15), depressive disorder (8%, n = 4), and anxiety disorders (2%, n = 1) among our participants. A significantly higher number of juveniles from LSES ( P = 0.005), those who were living with their families ( P = 0.009), having a family history of substance use and criminal behavior ( P = 0.0001), and with poor scholastic performance ( P = 0.034), were likely to be delinquent. Statistically significant rule-breaking behavior ( P = 0.005), externalizing problems ( P = 0.045), and thought problems ( P = 0.049) were observed among our juveniles. Conclusion: Juveniles from LSES, having poor scholastic performance, and with SUD are more likely to be delinquent. Multiple SUDs and the commitment of graver offences were observed among repeat offenders.