PhD study: Psychopathology and quality of life in detained female adolescents

Most research on psychopathology in detained minors focuses on males, solely relies on youth self-report and lacks prospective and quality of life (QoL) studies. We attempt to enhance the knowledge on girls in detention, by addressing these constraints. In the current study participants are assessed within the first three weeks of detention (T0: youngsters and parents); the second and third month of detention (T1 & T2); and six months after discharge (T3). In this study, we scrutinized (i) gender differences in (the relationship between) psychiatric disorders and self-esteem among detained adolescents (Chapter 1); (ii) the prevalence and clinical usefulness of the DSM-5’s new LPE (limited prosocial emotions) specifier for CD (conduct disorder), relying on youth self-report and parent-report (Chapter 2); (iii) detained girls’ QoL in relation to psychiatric disorders, trauma exposure and socioeconomic status (Chapter 3); (iv) detained girls’ treatment engagement over time in relation to psychopathology and QoL (Chapter 4); and (v) QoL in relation to future mental health problems and offending (Chapter 5).

Lore Van Damme (supervisors: Prof. Dr. Wouter Vanderplasschen; co-promotor: Dr. Olivier Colins)