ABSTRACT

Youth involved in the juvenile justice system are at risk for a multitude of psychological and adjustment difficulties. Unfortunately, oftentimes these individuals do not receive the services needed. Attitudes toward mental health services contribute to whether an individual receives help; yet little is known about factors that are associated with detained youths’ attitudes regarding help. The current study advanced the literature by further examining how youth self-reports of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and aggression were related to attitudes toward mental health services among 229 detained youth (74.5% male, M_age = 15.52 years, SD_age = 1.54). Additionally, the influence of callous-unemotional (CU) traits was examined. Findings suggest that while anxiety symptoms were associated with more positive attitudes toward mental health services, symptoms of depression and CU traits were associated with less positive attitudes toward mental health services. However, CU traits did not moderate associations between symptom clusters and attitudes toward mental health services. Findings suggest the need to consider internalizing symptom clusters as well as CU traits in how to approach youth regarding treatment engagement.

摘要

参与少年司法系统的青年面临着许多心理和适应困难的风险。不幸的是，这些人通常得不到所需的服务。对心理健康服务的态度会影响一个人是否得到帮助；然而，与被拘留青年对帮助的态度相关的因素知之甚少。目前的研究通过进一步研究青年自我报告的抑郁、焦虑和攻击性症状与 229 名被拘留青年（74.5% 男性，M 年龄 = 15.52 岁，SD 年龄）对心理健康服务的态度之间的_关系 来推进_文献 = 1.54）。此外，还检查了冷酷无情 (CU) 特征的影响。研究结果表明，虽然焦虑症状与对心理健康服务的积极态度相关，但抑郁症状和 CU 特征与对心理健康服务的消极态度相关。然而，CU 特征并没有缓和症状群与对心理健康服务的态度之间的关联。研究结果表明，在如何让年轻人参与治疗时，需要考虑内化症状群以及 CU 特征。