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Posttraumatic stress disorder in a Swiss offender population
Frank Urbaniok1, Jérôme Endrass, Thomas Noll
1Psychiatric-Psychological Service, Zurich Department of Justice, Zurich, Switzerland.
Swiss Medical Weekly
|March 21, 2007
Summary
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects 27% of Swiss male prisoners, comparable to international rates. Most prisoners experienced traumatic events, highlighting the need for mental health support in correctional facilities.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is more prevalent in delinquent populations compared to the general population.
- Previous studies indicate lifetime PTSD prevalence of 33-36% and point prevalence of 17-21% in delinquents.
- International findings on PTSD prevalence in offenders require validation within specific national contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among offenders detained in Switzerland.
- To assess if previously observed high PTSD rates in delinquents apply to the Swiss correctional system.
- To investigate PTSD prevalence across different offender sub-samples within Switzerland.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 86 offenders was assessed.
- Three sub-samples (remand, sentenced/inpatient, sentenced/outpatient) were examined to control for over-reporting.
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was diagnosed using the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS) based on DSM-IV criteria.
Main Results:
- The point prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was estimated at 27% in the studied Swiss offender sample.
- No significant differences in PTSD prevalence were found between the three sub-samples after adjusting for demographic factors.
- A high proportion (75%) of subjects reported experiencing at least one DSM-IV-defined traumatic event, with a median of four such events.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of current Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in this sample of male Swiss prisoners is comparable to international findings.
- The study validates the elevated PTSD rates observed in international delinquent populations within the Swiss context.
- Further discussion on the limitations and implications of these findings for clinical practice and policy is warranted.
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