Head Injury in Female Prisoners: Epidemiology, Impact & Disability V1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Head Injury in Female Prisoners: Epidemiology, Impact and Disability

  • IRAS ID

    230707

  • Contact name

    Thomas McMillan

  • Contact email

    thomas.mcmillan@glasgow.ac.uk

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 28 days

  • Research summary

    A significantly higher rate of head injury (HI) has been found in the population of women in Scottish prisons (WiP) than in the general population (NPHN, 2016). WiP are six times more likely to have had a HI than the general population, and have a higher relative risk of HI than men in prison. Little research exists on HI in female offenders. As a result, there is no clear explanation for the high rate of HI in WiP, nor is the extent of HI-related disability in this small but vulnerable group in society known. There may be an unmet need within the Scottish prison service in terms of assessment and intervention for female prisoners with HI.

    Aims:
    (1) To investigate the epidemiology of HI in WiP
    (2) To inform service need by investigating the persisting effects of HI in WiP

    Methods:
    We aim to recruit 100-200 participants, representing up to half the population of female prisoners in Scotland. Participation in the study will be offered to all women in prison in Scotland aged of 16 - 65 years.

    Participants will complete measures on the severity and cause of HI, history of offending behaviour and mental health. These measures will be combined with information from medical records, a battery of neuropsychological measures and measures of HI-related disability.

    Applications:
    WiP with HI are an under-researched population and more information is needed to uncover if they have unmet needs regarding assessment and rehabilitation. This research will inform services for HI in WiP

  • REC name

    West of Scotland REC 5

  • REC reference

    17/WS/0230

  • Date of REC Opinion

    5 Dec 2017

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion