Trauma e disturbo post-traumatico da stress nella relazione con i disturbi mentali della popolazione carceraria minorile

Introduction

To investigate the diffusion of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in juvenile justice population, giving particular attention to the analysis of the relationships between trauma and mental health problems in consideration of comorbidity with PTSD.

Materials and methods

Our remarks were produced from the analysis of medical and psychiatric literature concerning the subject and availability in the main databases – especially Pubmed – giving priority to more recently published articles and reviews as considered more evocative of the current situation.

Results

Incarcerated adolescents are a deeply victimized population, characterized – when investigated – by higher prevalence of PTSD and trauma-related psychopathology than those reported in general juvenile population. In its tendency to co-occur with several psychiatric disorders, diagnosis of PTSD identifies, within juvenile offenders samples, clusters at risk of developing pathological outcomes in terms of mental health and social behaviour.

Conclusions

Often overlooked and underestimated, the diagnosis of trauma and PTSD histories within juvenile justice system is so tactful and complex as essential for the treatment and prevention of those PTSD-related problems in psychosocial functioning potentially getting worse and chronic if that disorder and its syndromes are misdiagnosed and, therefore, not adequately treated. In this respect it recognizes the importance of realizing integrated and holistic interventions, encouraging the passage from punishing in correctional institute to therapeutic rehabilitation in community.