Head injury, neurodevelopmental disorders and young offenders (v1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of head injury and neurodevelopmental disorders on frequency of offending and violent offences in young people
IRAS ID
312853
Contact name
Hamish McLeod
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GG&C)
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 15 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Background
Both head injury (HI) and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are associated with cognitive and personality difficulties, such as problems with self-regulation, and socially inappropriate behaviour. These difficulties are associated with a heightened risk of offending. Rates of HI are higher in young offenders in comparison to the general population, but prevalence of NDD is under-researched. Little is also known about the prevalence of HI and NDD in young, forensic populations and the potential impact of these impairments on offending behaviours. Failures within the systems to recognise these health inequalities poses a human rights issue. Young people with unrecognised HI or NDD may not be receiving equitable treatment within systems and may later face harsh legal implications, such as imprisonment.Aims
This study aims to understand how frequently HI or NDD are reported in health records and how the conditions link to re-offending, frequency of re-offending and violent offending within a 6-month period. The study aims to help inform appropriate treatment of young people in the systems by recognising the impact of HI and NDD on offending behaviour, so that services can provide effective and fair risk planning and support.Methods
Pre-existing risk assessment data held by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (FCAMHS) in FCAMHS' shared drive on NHS server relating to offending behaviour will be reviewed and cross-referenced with NHS mental health medical records. The risk assessment tool (SAVRY; Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth) used by GGC FCAMHS considers whether traits of ADHD are present, but does not consider diagnosis of HI. Mental health records will be screened for record of HI or NDD within notes and relevant documents. Statistical analyses will investigate whether HI or NDD are associated with frequency of offending within a 6-month period and whether the offending was violent.Summary of Research
Methods
Information was gathered from 76 young males, aged between 12-18, who had been seen by the Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (FCAMHS) in Glasgow between March 2015 and January 2020. The information gathered from these young people formed a database that was used for this research in combination with their health records. An assistant psychologist from the FCAMHS service searched the young males' electronic mental records notes for information about occurrences of HI and diagnoses of NDD. Demographic information, predicted risk of reoffending ratings and details of actual reoffending within 6 months were taken from the FCAMHS database and combined with the new information about HI and NDD by the assistant psychologist to create a new database. For analysis, participants were grouped as ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to having a HI and ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to having a NDD. Offending within a 6-month period was compared between those with and without HI and those with and without NDD.Main Findings and Conclusions
There were no significant differences between those with and without HI or NDD in how much they offended and whether their offences were violent or not. This might be because the sample was recruited from a specialist service (FCAMHS) where the level of severity of offending and legal involvement is less severe than for those who are, for example in prison. Additionally, all information about HI and NDD may not have been present on the electronic databases used in this study and efforts should be made in future to ensure that information on mental health records is thorough and detailed. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder was the most common diagnosis in the sample and higher social deprivation was significantly associated with re-offending. More research is required to investigate the link between NDDs and offending in young people and to develop more appropriate risk assessment tools. Service design and treatments need to be adapted to meet young peoples’ needs so that it is easier for them to engage with services.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0156
Date of REC Opinion
24 May 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion