A comparison of the emotional and behavioural problems of intellectual disability offenders in medium and low security
| Pages | 109-115 |
| Published date | 12 September 2016 |
| Date | 12 September 2016 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDOB-12-2015-0047 |
| Author | Sarah Ashworth,Paul Mooney |
A comparison of the emotional and
behavioural problems of intellectual
disability offenders in medium and
low security
Sarah Ashworth and Paul Mooney
Sarah Ashworth is a Forensic
Psychologist in Training at
Partnerships in Care,
Nottingham, UK.
Paul Mooney is a Regional
Lead Psychologist at
Partnerships in Care,
Nottingham, UK; University of
Nottingham, Nottingham,
UK and University of Lincoln,
Lincoln, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –There are few reliable psychometric measures of the psychopathology of offenders with
intellectual disabilities (ID). However, previous research has indicated that the emotional problems scale (EPS)
is useful in identifying a range of treatment needs and in predicting risk to self and others. The purpose of this
paper is to compare the severity of the emotional and behavioural problems of a small sample of offenders
with ID in medium and low secure services, as assessed by EPS. Additionally, the data are tentatively
compared with those reported in previous research to precipitate discussion regarding the changes in clinical
populations in secure care over time.
Design/methodology/approach –The study collected demographic and EPS data for patients with ID
(n ¼25) on medium secure and a low secure wards. Data were collected as part of routine clinical practice,
with EPS forms being completed by nursing and other multi-disciplinary staff.
Findings –It was found that there was no statistically significant difference in EPS scores between medium
and low secure patients with ID. The authors also highlight differences between the current sample and the
normative data collected by previous research.
Originality/value –The data regarding the psychopathology of medium and low secure patients with ID
provide insight into the ever changing resourcing needs and risk profiles of this complex patient group.
In addition, there is a dearth of empirical research that comments on the clinical differences observed
over time in forensic populations. As the current data differ from pre-existing normative data, the potential
shift in populations and also implications for the accuracy of clinical decision making based on the
assessment are discussed.
Keywords Offenders, Assessment, Intellectual disability, Behavioural problems,
Emotional problems scale, Secure services
Paper type Research paper
Background
Hogue et al. (2007) highlight the need for assessment instruments designed to ascertain
emotional and psychological disorders with populations with intellectual disabilities (ID). It has
been previously acknowledged that those with ID may be more susceptible in developing
co-morbid mental disorders than the general population but the majority of existing assessment
instruments are not designed specifically for use with an ID population. As such, a lack of
reliable assessment measures can make diagnosis and evaluation of treatment efficacy difficult
with this population.
Received 24 December 2015
Revised 5 May 2016
Accepted 6 May 2016
DOI 10.1108/JIDOB-12-2015-0047VOL. 7 NO. 3 2016, pp.109-115, © EmeraldGroup Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8824
j
JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND OFFENDING BEHAVIOUR
j
PAGE109
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