How do static and dynamic risk factors work together to predict violent behaviour among offenders with an intellectual disability?

BACKGROUND: Research on risk assessment with offenders with an intellectual disability (ID) has largely focused on estimating the predictive accuracy of static or dynamic risk assessments, or a comparison of the two approaches. The aim of this study was to explore how static and dynamic risk variables may 'work together' to predict violent behaviour. METHODS: Data from 212 offenders with an ID were analysed. Risk assessment tools included one static measure (Violence Risk Appraisal Guide), and two dynamic measures (Emotional Problems Scale and the Short Dynamic Risk Scale). Six-month concurrent prediction data on violent behaviour were collected. A structured methodology was employed to explore putative relationships between static and dynamic factors. RESULTS: Static risk factors temporally preceded dynamic ones, and were shown to dominate both dynamic measures, while there was a non-zero relationship between the static and the two dynamic measures. According to Kraemer et al., these findings suggest that dynamic risk factors function as proxy risk factors for static risk. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic and static risk factors appear to capture elements of the same underlying risk associated with violent behaviour in individuals with an ID. This is the first study to empirically explore risk interrelationships in the forensic ID field. We discuss the importance of the contribution of dynamic variables in the prediction and management of risk.

Structure, fit and coherence of two circumplex assessments of personality in a population with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Little research has been conducted investigating the way in which personality constructs relate to people with intellectual disabilities. The small amount of research that does exist suggests that underlying personality structure may be considerably different to that found in mainstream research. This hypothesis is, however, untested because so little work has been conducted with this population. METHOD: Two circumplex models, the Interpersonal Adjective Scales and the CIRCLE, were employed to explore the factor structure, coherence and fit of these models with this population. One hundred and twenty-three participants from forensic intellectual disability services were rated by staff on the assessments, although not all assessments were completed for all participants. RESULTS: The factor structures for both assessments conform broadly with a theoretical structure. Hypotheses concerning the magnitude and direction of Spearman's correlations both within and between assessments were generally confirmed. CONCLUSION: While results would support the applicability of mainstream personality assessments to this client group, cautions were expressed in relation to the source of the sample and to the method of data collection.

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

BACKGROUND: Despite an increasing knowledge base concerning the assessment of emotional and behavioural problems in people with intellectual disabilities (ID), relatively little research has examined such problems in offenders with ID. METHODS: The study assessed 172 male offenders with ID in three service settings (high, medium-low security and community) using the Behaviour Rating Scale of the Emotional Problem Scales (EPS), with the aim of assessing differences in Externalizing and Internalizing Behaviour Problems. RESULTS: Normative information is presented on the Behaviour Rating Scale of the EPS across three levels of forensic ID care. It was found that offenders in higher secure care scored higher on sub-scales reflecting physical aggression than those in lower secure care. However, there was no difference in terms of other Externalizing Behaviour Problems, such as verbal aggression, non-compliance or hyperactivity. In addition, those offenders in higher secure care scored significantly higher on all Internalizing Behaviour Problems sub-scales, including anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed, including the utility of the EPS as a measure of clinical need and treatment outcome.