Is there a relationship between trauma,substance use and offending
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is there a relationship between trauma, substance use and violent ofending adult male offenders
IRAS ID
97068
Contact name
James McGuire
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Research summary
Rates of trauma and PTSD are much higher for incarcerated males than those found within the general population (Swartz & Lurigio, 1999; Jordan, Schlenger, Fairbank & Cadell, 1996; Kupers, 1996; Teplin, Abram,&McClelland, 1996) and research has indicated a link between traumatic experiences and violent offending (Ardino, 2011; Foy, Furrow & McManus, 2011). More often than not trauma precedes SUD (Khantzian, 1985) and SUD has also been linked to rates of re-offending (Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2004). Often substances are used to manage distressing symptoms of trauma and PTSD, specifically those symptoms associated with regulating negative affective responses. Some of these responses to trauma include anger, aggression towards others and self destructive behaviours. These behaviours may lead to criminal involvement or lead to excessive risk taking behaviours which ultimately may increase the risk of arrest (Khantzian, 1985).
Unresolved symptoms of trauma experiences may result in the use of alcohol or other drugs to cope with or block out related feelings and memories, as well as involvement in violent activities and difficulties in interpersonal functioning (Jones, Dauphinais, Sack and Somervell, 1997; Steiner, Garcia & Matthews 1997; van der Kolk et al, l996; Rivera & Widom 1990; Widom 1989). The research evidence therefore suggests that trauma may not only be associated with offending behaviour, but with a greater risk of violent offending in particular (compared to other non-violent forms of offending). Given that trauma has been linked to violent offending and SUD to general offending, understanding the psychological effects of trauma within forensic settings is therefore extremely important as it may add to a more comprehensive assessment of prisoner need and treatment planning (Solomon and Heide, 1999).
The aim of the research is to investigate relationships between experiences of trauma, substance abuse disorder (SUD), and criminal offending (with particular reference to violence) amongst incarcerated males.
Hypotheses
1. Trauma and substance use will be related to a greater risk of violent versus non-violent offending behaviour. We hypothesize this relationship will remain even after controlling for age.
2. There will be an interaction between trauma, SUD and violent offending, with SUD acting as a moderator between trauma and violent offending, whereby trauma will have a stronger relationship with violent (versus nonviolent) offending in those with co-occurring substance use problems.
Participants/Sampling/Access
Participants are from a male-only North-West prison. Prisoners within the sample were drawn from the general population of the prison who were referred to the prison’s Primary Care Psychological Service due to experiencing elevated levels of psychological distress.
Procedure
Data will be extracted from an existing secure NHS database and transferred to an anonymised database for analysis by the current researcher. Given that the data will be fully anonymised by one member of the current care team prior to the researcher embarking on analysis, no consent is required from participants. This in full compliance with National Information Governance Board (NIGB) for Health and Social Care regulations. A copy of their message confirming this is attached for your information.
Data Analysis:
A logistic regression analysis will be performed to examine the relationship between offence type and trauma. A secondary multiple logistic regression will be performed to test whether independent variables trauma and SUD predict the dependent variables violent/non violent offending. A third analysis will explore any interaction effects between trauma, SUD and offending in predicting violent/non violent offending.REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/0180
Date of REC Opinion
3 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion