The health profile of incarcerated male youths

Objective. To identify the health needs of adolescent males incarcerated in a juvenile justice facility and to compare their health profiles with thos e of male adolescents in the community. Methods. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted of incarcerated (N = 202) a nd school (N = 379) samples of male youths. Questionnaires were self-admini stered and completed before admission health screens (incarcerated youth) o r in classrooms (school sample). Health status was assessed by the Child He alth and Illness Profile, Adolescent Edition, using scale and item means an d by categorizing each youth's pattern of health into 1 of 13 mutually excl usive health profile types. Results. Compared with school counterparts, incarcerated male youths had si gnificantly worse health status as demonstrated by poorer health and functi oning scores in perceived well being, self-esteem, physical discomfort, acu te, chronic, and psychosocial disorders, family involvement, physical activ ity, interpersonal problem-solving, risk behaviors, and academic performanc e. Three profile types-High Risks, High Risks/Low Resilience, and Worst Hea lth-accounted for patterns of health for 69.8% of incarcerated youth versus 37.3% of an age-matched school sample. Just 6.4% of incarcerated males wer e in the Excellent/Good Health profile types, which contrasted with 34.2% o f the age-matched school sample. Conclusions. The health profiles of incarcerated male youths were worse tha n those of male youths in school. Our results indicate that rehabilitation programs will need to address incarcerated youth's basic health needs as we ll as modifying their risk and antisocial behaviors.