ADHD, Assessments, and The Criminal Justice System

According to Skowyra et al., (2007), “seventy percent of youth in juvenile justice systems have at least one mental health condition and at least 20 percent live with a severe mental illness” (p. vii). According to the U.S. Surgeon General Report, “10% of children and adolescents in the United States suffer from serious emotional and mental disorders that cause significant functional impairment in their day-to-day lives at home, in school, and with peers” (Rousseau, Module 2, 2023). This means the likelihood is high that youth in the juvenile justice system struggle in both school and vocational planning, significantly impacting their future. One reason this may occur is that “norms for vocational inventories and assessments have not been established that consider minority groups” (Dipeolu et al, 2019). One minority group that this affects are individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with which symptoms can cause clinically significant distress or impairment in school and occupational functioning (DSM, 2013). This is also shown to influence criminal behavior. According to Bartol et al., (2021) approximately one-fourth of children diagnosed with ADHD “engage in serious antisocial behavior during childhood and adolescence and criminal behavior as adults” (p. 53). Within correctional facilities, “the prevalence rate for ADHD at 3 to 10 times higher than are found in the general population” (Bartol et al., 2021, p. 54). With ADHD considered a “puzzling problem (Bartol et al., 2020, p.53) it is often misunderstood. For forensic psychologists to provide effective support and guidance when working with juveniles and adults in the criminal justice system with ADHD, ADHD must be well understood.

Research has shown that inventories based on norms from the majority that are used to assess personality and behavior characteristics along with career paths in individuals with ADHD are ineffective (Dipeolu et al., 2015, Royal et al., 2015). With that, it is important for a forensic psychologist to be able to identify the common characteristics of ADHD. Being well versed in common thought and behavior patterns of someone with ADHD is important to consider to ensure that what is being asked within an inventory and assessment is being interpreted and measured accurately. If we are not doing this, how can we assume results to be accurate for those with ADHD if the inventories used are based on majority norms?

Administering assessments and inventories to a minority group, designed with norms established by a majority within the criminal justice system may be impacting the effectiveness of treatment. In the words of Dr. Rousseau, “without treatment, the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering” (Rousseau, Module 2, 2023).

For more information on ADHD please check out:

https://drhallowell.com/

References:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders  (5^th edition). Washington, DC

Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2021). Criminal behavior: a psychological approach (12th ed.). Pearson.

Dipeolu, A., Deutch, S., Hargrave, S., & Storlie, C. A. (2019). Developmentally Relevant Career      Constructs: Response Patterns of Youth with ADHD and LDs. Canadian Journal of  Career Development, 18(1), 45-55.

Dipeolu, A., Hargrave, S., & Storlie, C. A. (2015). Enhancing ADHD and LD diagnostic       accuracy using career instruments. Journal of Career Development, 42(1), 19-32.

Rousseau, D. (2023). Module 2. Boston University.

Royal, C., Wade, W., & Nickel, H. (2015). Career development and vocational behavior of     adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]. Career Planning & Adult  Development Journal, 31(4), 54-63.

Skowyra, K. R., & Cocozza, J. J. (2007). Blueprint for change: A comprehensive model for the identification and treatment of youth with mental health needs in contact with the juvenile justice system. Policy Research Associates, Inc.

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