Violence Risk among Youth Referred to a Forensic Mental Health Service

Abstract

Youth who engage in serious aggressive, violent, or threatening behaviour pose a concern to others about their potential for future acts of violence. The current study investigates violence risk factors among young people referred to a child and youth forensic mental health service. The primary aim of this study is to examine the demographic, historical, and clinical characteristics of a sample of 91 young people in order to assess whether there are distinct groups or clusters that share common profiles. Using a two-step cluster analysis, three distinct clusters were found. Cluster 1 (generally non-violent, n = 34) comprises a subgroup with fewer family adversity factors and an absence of serious violence. Cluster 2 (early violence, n = 35) comprises a subgroup with serious violent histories, comorbid mental health disorders, and an early onset of behavioural difficulties. Cluster 3 (later violence, n = 19) includes young people with serious violent and antisocial histories, and a later onset of behavioural difficulties. The results of the study support the notion that youth referred for specialised violence risk assessments are a heterogeneous group with distinct individual differences. This has implications for determining the level of intervention and treatment required to reduce youth offending and violence.

Key words:

• cluster analysis
• juvenile
• mental health
• targeted violence
• violence risk factors

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the Child and Youth Forensic Outreach Service, Queensland Health for their support with this study.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.