Mentalization for Offending Adults Males (MOAM)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) for Antisocial Personality Disorder: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial.
IRAS ID
158559
Contact name
Peter Fonagy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
UCL Data Protection Registration Number, Z6364106/2014/09/08
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Background:
Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a key contributor to violent criminal behaviour, is significantly overrepresented among offenders, and carries high rates of comorbidity and mortality for individuals as well as a heavy burden for public services. NICE clinical guidelines and recent Cochrane reviews highlight a lack of evidence for effective interventions for ASPD, and urgently recommend research to determine effective and cost-effective interventions for this condition. Our study responds to this expressed need and aims to generate new knowledge to address the existing knowledge gap.
Research Question:
Is Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) adapted for individuals with ASPD more effective and cost-effective than Probation As Usual (PAU) for reducing aggressive acts and antisocial behaviour in offenders under probation who meet DSM-IV criteria for ASPD?Design:
A Pilot two-arm randomized controlled trial, with participants randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive MBT or PAU.Setting:
Probation Trusts and partner Health Service Providers at 4 sites across the UK.
Target population:
Male offenders aged over 21 years who are subject to statutory supervision by the National Probation Service with at least 6 months remaining of their licence or community sentence, and who fulfil DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for ASPD.
Intervention:
Participants randomised to MBT will receive 12 months of weekly 75-minute group sessions and monthly 60-minute individual sessions. Sessions will aim to help participants understand their difficulties with violence and to achieve control over aggressive behaviour by stabilizing emotional expression; particular emphasis will be on identifying and understanding the thoughts and feelings associated with aggressive impulses. MBT at each site will be delivered jointly by probation (Specialist Offender Manager; Peer Worker) and NHS (3 MBT Therapists; Assistant Psychologist; Consultant Psychiatrist) staff on probation premises, and funded by the Department of Health and Ministry of Justice as part of the Offender Personality Disorder Pathways Strategy.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1696
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jan 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion