Emotional and behavioural problems in offenders with intellectual disability: comparative data from three forensic...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Intellectual Disabilities Research
• Behavioral Assessment

Background:

• Limited research exists on emotional and behavioral issues in offenders with intellectual disabilities (ID).
• Understanding these problems is crucial for effective support and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess emotional and behavioral problems in male offenders with ID across different security levels.
• To examine differences in externalizing and internalizing behaviors based on care setting.

Main Methods:

• 172 male offenders with ID were evaluated in high, medium-low security, and community settings.
• The Behaviour Rating Scale of the Emotional Problem Scales (EPS) was utilized.
• Analysis focused on differentiating externalizing and internalizing behavior problems.

Main Results:

• Offenders in higher security settings exhibited higher scores for physical aggression.
• No significant differences were found in other externalizing behaviors (e.g., verbal aggression, hyperactivity).
• Offenders in higher security settings reported significantly higher levels of internalizing behaviors, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

Conclusions:

• The Emotional Problem Scales (EPS) demonstrate utility in measuring clinical needs for offenders with ID.
• Findings have implications for tailoring research and clinical interventions to specific security levels and behavioral profiles.