NCJ Number
206079
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2004 Pages: 139-150
Date Published
April 2004
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined the prevalence of psychiatric and neurologic disorders and their relationship with criminal recidivism among a nationally representative sample of sexual offenders.
Abstract
Previous research on the occurrence of comorbid psychiatric disorders among individuals with sexual problems has been largely based on small, select samples. Treatment needs among offenders with comorbid psychiatric disorders differ from the treatment needs of offenders without such disorders, thus accurately identifying such offenders is crucial to their rehabilitation. Data on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) -9 and ICD-10 psychiatric and neurologic morbidity was examined for 1,215 adult male sexual offenders released from Swedish prisons during 1993 through 1997. Diagnoses occurred during hospital admissions between 1987 and 1997; all of which occurred prior to sexual offending. The 5-year post-detainment follow-up explored the prevalence of pre-offending disorders and the associations between psychiatric morbidity and criminal reconviction. Results of statistical analyses revealed that nearly 14 percent of the subjects released from Swedish prison during the study period had been diagnosed with a psychiatric or neurologic disorder up to 10 years before the index sexual offense. The most common diagnosis was alcohol use disorder, followed by drug use disorder, personality disorder, and psychosis. All of the disorders increased the risk for sexual recidivism, but only alcohol use disorder and personality disorder increased the risk for violent nonsexual recidivism. The findings remained significant after controlling for sociodemographic confounds. Limitations of the study include its reliance on inpatient psychiatric admittance, which may result in an underestimation of the true prevalence of psychiatric or neurologic morbidity. Despite this problem, the findings underscore the importance of psychiatric consultation for the improved management of the mental health needs of sexual offenders. Tables, references