PTSD and re-offending risk: the mediating role of worry and a negative perception of other people's support

Ardino, Vittoria, Milani, Luca and Di Blasio, Paola (2013) PTSD and re-offending risk: the mediating role of worry and a negative perception of other people's support. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 4. ISSN 2000-8198

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Abstract

Background: Studies of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are mainly focused on victims of trauma. Very few studies explored the links between PTSD symptoms and re-offending risk in perpetrators of violence. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of PTSD symptoms on re-offending risk in prisoner populations with a focus on indirect effects of worry and a negative perception of other people’s support on the relationship between PTSD and re-offending risk. Methods: 75 prisoners (25 females, mean age: 44.36 years; 50 males, mean age: 34.7 years) were assessed for exposure to child abuse and neglect, PTSD symptoms, worry, a negative perception of other people’s support and re-offending risk. Mediation analyses tested the indirect effects of worry and a negative perception of other people’s support on the relationship between PTSD and re-offending risk. Results: 72% participants presented PTSD symptoms and 30.7% were at risk of re-offending. Mediation analyses supported the hypothesis of a mediation pathway from PTSD to worry and a negative perception of other people’s support to an increased risk of re-offending. Conclusion: The results indicate that prisoners report high rates of PTSD symptoms; furthermore, they highlight an important relationship between PTSD and re-offending risk. Findings suggest that future research should test further the indirect effects of negative cognitive and emotional states on the relationship of PTSD and re-offending risk and explore more in depth the role of PTSD to assess and treat prisoners.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://www.ejpt.net/
Additional Information:	© 2013 The Authors
Divisions:	Personal Social Services Research Unit
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Date Deposited:	04 Apr 2014 15:46
Last Modified:	16 Jan 2024 17:48
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/56403

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