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Co-occurring mental disorders among criminal offenders
The Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Many incarcerated individuals have major mental disorders and commit frequent crimes without adequate care. This study found diverse combinations of mental health conditions, not simple patterns, among male inmates.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Criminology
Background:
- A significant portion of convicted offenders experience major mental disorders.
- These individuals often exhibit high rates of criminal activity.
- Lack of mental health care and isolation are common in correctional facilities for these offenders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and patterns of lifetime major mental disorders among male penitentiary inmates.
- To determine if specific combinations or groupings of disorders are evident in this population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) to assess lifetime major mental disorders.
- Examined a representative sample of male inmates within a penitentiary setting.
Main Results:
- Pure forms of major mental disorders were infrequently observed.
- A wide range of combinations of major mental disorders were identified.
- No discernible patterns or groupings of co-occurring disorders were found.
Conclusions:
- Major mental disorders in male inmates are characterized by complex combinations rather than isolated conditions.
- The findings highlight the need for comprehensive mental health assessments and interventions in correctional facilities.
- Further research is needed to understand the implications of these complex comorbidity patterns for offender rehabilitation.