Mental Health Issues and Psychosocial Contexts in CICL Children Versus Non-CICL Children: A Comparative Study.

Background: Children in conflict with law (CICL) is an emerging issue in the contemporary world. Children between the ages of 12 years and 18 years are the most productive age group, but some children may develop behaviors that are undesirable to society by violating laws. The mental health and associated psychosocial factors of such children are lacking in India. It is of utmost importance to understand the mental health aspects of CICL for their rehabilitation, reintegration, and a better society for tomorrow.

Aim: This study aimed to compare the psychosocial factors such as psychological adjustment, level of substance abuse, aggression, sensation seeking, self-esteem, and perceived parenting style between CICL and non-CICL.

Methods: After obtaining the Institute's Ethics Committee approval (Letter No. IEC/CIP/2020-2021/1207, dated March 22, 2022), 70 CICL were selected from Ranchi district of Jharkhand. To compare, 55 non-CICL were selected with the same gender within the age range of 12-18 years, using a cross-sectional comparative survey research design. A semistructured interview schedule was used to assess the basic demographic and legal history of the children. The Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire, Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Involvement Scale, Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire, Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Parental Style Index were used to compare the psychosocial factors between CICL and non-CICL.

Results: The Pearson chi-square test indicated that CICL participants were significantly (P = .001) more likely to be from urban areas, have a history of school dropout and truancy, and come from broken families compared with non-CICL participants. The Mann-Whitney U test & indicated significant differences between CICL and non-CICL in the years of education (P = .001) for both children and their parents. The Mann-Whitney U test found that CICL participants showed significantly higher levels (P = .001) in emotional problems, internalizing attributes, prosocial behavior, level of alcohol/drug involvement, self-esteem, and strictness compared with non-CICL.

Conclusion: These findings have significant implications for the field of juvenile justice, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support systems. Prevention, promotional mental health aspects, and comprehensive rehabilitation plans are crucial for the successful social integration of CICL.