Executive Function in Offenders with Intellectual Disabilities
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Acceptability and Feasibility of Assessing Executive Function and Impulsivity in Offenders with Intellectual Disabilities: A pilot study.
IRAS ID
219343
Contact name
Lee Harrison
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Sheffield
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 11 days
Research summary
Executive functions sub-serve a number of cognitive, emotional and social abilities and are essential for adaptive human behaviour in complex environments. Impairments in executive function have been linked to anti-social and offending behaviors. An adapted version of The Behavioural Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome Test (BADS-ID) has previously been validated for use in adults with intellectual disabilities. The BADS-ID has yet to be used in a sample of offenders with intellectual disabilities however.
This is an exploratory study using a between-group design. Two groups will be compared: (1) an offending group, individuals with intellectual disabilities that have offended against another person and (2) a comparison group, individuals with an intellectual disability with no history of offending. For both the offender and non-offender groups, between 20 and 30 males with intellectual disabilities will be recruited from secure and community services, respectively. The study requires the males to have an IQ of between 50 and 70 in line with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) with sufficient verbal and attention capacity to complete the assessment. Those individuals identified as having an autism diagnosis or serious mental health problem (e.g.. psychosis) will be deemed ineligible. In addition to the BADS, measures of impulsivity and anger will be attained using the Barratt Impulsivity Scale and Aberrant Behaviour Checklist.
A number of outcomes (e.g. refusal rates, non-completion rates) will be assessed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the BADS-ID for use with offenders and non-offenders with intellectual disabilities. Despite no formal hypothesis testing, differences on neuropsychological outcomes will still be evaluated between offender and non-offender groups.
Overall, using a comprehensive assessment of executive function and measures of impulsivity and anger, this pilot study will assess both the acceptability and feasibility of administering these tests in offenders and non-offenders with intellectual disabilities.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0070
Date of REC Opinion
26 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion