Screening Children in Conflict with The Law in Kenya for Mental Health Needs using The Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument–Version 2.

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dc.contributor.authorNyagwencha, Stella Kemuma
dc.contributor.authorMueni, Florence Muema
dc.contributor.authorNjoroge, Margaret
dc.date.accessioned2025-04-28T09:06:45Z
dc.date.available2025-04-28T09:06:45Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.descriptionJournal Article
dc.description.abstractA growing body of research shows that justice-involved children, particularly those in conflict with the law, present with symptoms of a diagnosable mental disorder. Routine screening and assessment of young offenders assists justice actors in determining the most appropriate treatment interventions, ensures effective rehabilitation, and enhances public safety. Conversely, some child-justice jurisdictions such as Kenya have not integrated mental health screening for children entering the justice system. This lack of internal audit mechanisms by agencies can contribute to worsening of the young person’s mental status. This study sought to determine the mental health needs of 153 children in conflict with the law commit-ted by courts to remand homes, reception centers, rehabilitation schools, Borstal institutions, youth corrective centers, probation hostels, and on community probation supervision in Nairobi country. Massachusetts Youth Screening InstrumentVersion-2 was used to screen the children. The findings revealed that thought disturbance in boys was the highest endorsed scale as 58.9% were within warning range scores. Clinically significant caution level scores were reported for somatic complaints (66.7%), angry-irritable (54.2%), and depressed-anxious (45.1%). There were statistically significant gender differences in somatic complaints (p ¼ 0.021), suicidal ideation (p < 0.001) and traumatic experiences (p ¼ 0.034).Respondents with a history of offending had higher mean scores in alcohol/drug use (M ¼ 2.92, SD ¼ 2.36). Significant differences were found between the institution where the child was screened and alcohol/drug use. The findings of this study could assist the Kenyan child justice system to institute mechanisms for mandatory mental health screening, assessment, and treatment of young offenders
dc.identifier.citationNyagwencha, S. K., Mueni, F. M., & Njoroge, M. (2024). Screening Children in Conflict with The Law in Kenya for Mental Health Needs using The Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument–Version 2. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation.
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.daystar.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6666
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherJournal of Offender Rehabilitation.
dc.relation.ispartofseries63(3),151–170
dc.subjectMassachusetts YouthScreening InstrumentVersion-2
dc.subjectKenya
dc.subjectmentalhealth needs
dc.subjectchild justicesystem
dc.subjectconflict with thelaw
dc.subjectyouth justice
dc.titleScreening Children in Conflict with The Law in Kenya for Mental Health Needs using The Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument–Version 2.
dc.typeArticle

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