Neuropsychological Functioning in Prisoners With and Without Self-Injurious Behaviors: Implications for the Criminal Justice System

• NCJ Number: 236559
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 38 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2011 Pages: 1103-1114
• Author(s): Margaret S. Andover; Heather T. Schatten; Donna M. Crossman; Peter J. Donovick
• Date Published: 2011
• Length: 12 pages
• Grant Number(s): K23MH082824
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined neuropsychological functioning among prisoners who engage in self-injurious behaviors, specifically attempted suicide and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI).

Abstract

Neuropsychological functioning has not yet been investigated among prisoners who engage in self-injurious behaviors, specifically attempted suicide and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). The purpose of this study was to investigate neuropsychological functioning in prisoners with and without histories of NSSI and attempted suicide. The sample consisted of 173 male prisoners referred for neuropsychological evaluation. Of participants, 56 percent reported a history of self-injury. Performance on the neuropsychological domains of intelligence, memory, attention, motor functioning, and executive functioning was assessed. No group differences were found among those with NSSI, with NSSI and suicide attempts, and with no history of deliberate self-harm, although functioning was poor in all domains. Implications of the high prevalence of self-injury in this prison sample, as well as implications of impaired functioning on the treatment of self-injurious behaviors, are discussed. (Published Abstract)