Trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and violence in the prison population: prospective cohort study of sentenced male prisoners in the UK.

Forensic mental health services post-traumatic stress disorder prison trauma violence

Journal

BJPsych open
ISSN: 2056-4724
Titre abrégé: BJPsych Open
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101667931

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
03 Mar 2023
Historique:
entrez: 3 3 2023
pubmed: 4 3 2023
medline: 4 3 2023
Statut: epublish

Résumé

Violence is a common problem in prisons. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a prevalent disorder in prison populations, has been identified as a risk factor for violent behaviour in community and military populations. Although cross-sectional associations between PTSD and prison violence have been documented, prospective cohort studies are required. To investigate whether PTSD is an independent risk factor for prison violence, and examine the potential role of PTSD symptoms and other trauma sequelae on the pathway from trauma exposure to violent behaviour in prison. A prospective cohort study was conducted in a large, medium security prison in London, UK. A random sample of sentenced prisoners arriving into custody ( Prisoners who met current (past month) criteria for PTSD were more likely to engage in violent behaviour during the first 3 months of imprisonment, after adjusting for other independent risk factors. The relationship between lifetime exposure to interpersonal trauma and violent behaviour in custody was mediated by total PTSD symptom severity. Hyperarousal and negatively valenced cognitive and emotional appraisal symptoms were particularly implicated in this pathway. The identification and treatment of PTSD has the potential to reduce violence in prison populations.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
Violence is a common problem in prisons. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a prevalent disorder in prison populations, has been identified as a risk factor for violent behaviour in community and military populations. Although cross-sectional associations between PTSD and prison violence have been documented, prospective cohort studies are required.
AIMS OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether PTSD is an independent risk factor for prison violence, and examine the potential role of PTSD symptoms and other trauma sequelae on the pathway from trauma exposure to violent behaviour in prison.
METHOD METHODS
A prospective cohort study was conducted in a large, medium security prison in London, UK. A random sample of sentenced prisoners arriving into custody (
RESULTS RESULTS
Prisoners who met current (past month) criteria for PTSD were more likely to engage in violent behaviour during the first 3 months of imprisonment, after adjusting for other independent risk factors. The relationship between lifetime exposure to interpersonal trauma and violent behaviour in custody was mediated by total PTSD symptom severity. Hyperarousal and negatively valenced cognitive and emotional appraisal symptoms were particularly implicated in this pathway.
CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS
The identification and treatment of PTSD has the potential to reduce violence in prison populations.

Identifiants

pubmed: 36866723
doi: 10.1192/bjo.2022.639
pii: S2056472422006391
pmc: PMC10044336
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Pagination

e47

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Auteurs

Emma Facer-Irwin (E)

Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.

Nigel Blackwood (N)

HMP Wandsworth, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK; and Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.

Annie Bird (A)

Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.

Deirdre MacManus (D)

HMP Wandsworth, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, UK; Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK; and London and South East NHS Veterans' Mental Health Service, Camden and Islington NHS Trust, UK.

Classifications MeSH