Factors Associated with Police Bringing Children to a Psychiatric Emergency Room

What is it about?

This study examines law enforcement involvement in psychiatric emergencies for children ages 5-12 years old. We report that children from racially marginalized and socially disadvantaged living situations tend to more frequently arrive to psychiatric emergency rooms escorted by police. That group of children also tended to be engaged in mental health treatment, largely carrying a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Conduct Disorder. The greatest predictor of the first and subsequent police arrivals were aggressive temper outbursts and suicidal behavior.

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Why is it important?

The study uniquely and exclusively examines the children ages five to twelve arriving to the psychiatric emergency rooms with police involvement.