The Usefulness of the MAYSI-2 and the Mental Health Needs of Youth Offenders in Youth Justice Facilities in New Zealand

Abstract

Youth offenders in secure care facilities present with high rates of mental health and behavioural difficulties. An accurate assessment of the needs of this vulnerable group is required for referral to services and access to treatment. A common pathway for assessment is through the use of psychometric measures which look at mental health difficulties and alert staff to youth who may need further assessment and possible treatment. This research had two aims: to investigate the usefulness the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Second Version (MAYSI-2), a commonly used screening tool within the New Zealand (NZ) youth justice system; and to provide a better understanding of the mental health needs of youth offenders in secure care facilities. The sample consisted of 527 youth admitted to one of four secure care facilities within NZ between 2014 and 2016 who completed the MAYSI-2 and a number of other psychometrics. Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed issues specifically relating to the validity and reliability of the MAYSI-2 within our sample. Mental health needs of the sample were unique. Youth displayed high levels of substance use difficulties, relatively low levels of psychological distress, and similar rates of suicide risk compared with international studies. Findings are discussed with relation to the international literature on both the MAYSI-2 and wider psychopathology of youth offenders in secure care facilities. Clinical implications with respect to the broader use of psychometrics within NZ’s unique youth offender populations are also discussed.