Assessing behavioural impulsivity in forensic mental health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation into behavioural impulsivity in forensic mental health units - a comparison of the predictive validity of instruments to identify risk of violence and antisocial behaviour
IRAS ID
217735
Contact name
Max Alford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 28 days
Research summary
From a neuropsychological perspective, deficits of impulsivity are perhaps one of the strongest clinical predictors of violence and engagement in antisocial behaviours. Impulsivity is described as 'behaviour without adequate thought, the tendency to act with less forethought than do most individuals of equal ability and knowledge, or a predisposition toward rapid, unplanned reactions to internal or external stimuli without regard to the negative consequences of these reactions'.
The most common approach to risk management within forensic settings is structured professional judgement (SPJ) which has been found to be a reliable and valid method. However, there are currently no explicit recommendations outlined in these existing risk assessment tools to assist clinicians in the assessing whether an individual has difficulties with impulsivity.
This study primarily aims to assess whether increased levels of impulsivity can predict violence and antisocial behaviour in forensic mental health inpatients. Firstly, widely recognised behavioural (computer-based) and self-report measures shall be administered with participants. Following a 6 month period, information from routinely collected clinical data recording incidence of violent and antisocial behaviour shall be reviewed to examine whether impulsivity can prospectively identify those individuals at greater risk of violence or antisocial behaviour.
We shall be recruiting from secure units in Scotland including The State Hospital, Rohallion (NHS Tayside), Radernie Low Secure Unit (NHS Fife) and Orchard Clinic (NHS Lothian).
The potential findings may be clinically useful as there are currently no explicit recommendations for health professionals working within forensic mental health settings as to how this particular risk factor (impulsivity) can be assessed reliably with potential implications for its efficacy It is hoped the findings of the study will assist forensic mental health professionals when assessing impulsivity as part of a wider SPJ approach to risk assessment.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
17/WS/0070
Date of REC Opinion
11 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion