UMass Chan Medical School Faculty Publications

Title

Predictors of criminal justice involvement in severe mania

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Services Research

Publication Date

2013-07-01

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Health Services Research | Mental and Social Health | Mental Disorders | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Criminal justice problems among those with bipolar disorder lead to disruption in social functioning, treatment, and recovery. Understanding factors that contribute to arrest during episodes of illness can help inform approaches to risk management and improve clinical care.

METHODS: Data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a longitudinal, nationally representative survey conducted in two waves were used to identify factors that predicted inter-wave criminal justice involvement during bipolar I manic episodes.

RESULTS: Over 10% of respondents experienced legal involvement during their most severe manic episode. Risk was found in a range of historical, clinical, and contextual factors. Multivariate analyses suggest risk is particularly high for those who are unemployed, non-white, have past juvenile detention, have a prior arrest (while using substances or when manic), used an illicit drug in the past year, and whose mania is characterized by both social and occupational impairment. Legal problems were particularly elevated among those who lacked health insurance while experiencing both social and occupational impairment.

LIMITATIONS: Respondents did not include prisoners and hospital inpatients; criminal justice problems were only assessed with regard to the most severe manic episode.

CONCLUSIONS: The particular array of factors that elevate the risk of legal involvement during manic episodes offers guidance when identifying prevention strategies and evaluating patients in clinical and forensic settings. Reducing such involvement will require that these issues be dealt with in the broader context of mental health and other services, which in turn necessitates providing adequate access to healthcare.

Keywords

Mania, Bipolar, Arrest, Risk factors, Cross-validation

DOI of Published Version

10.1016/j.jad.2013.02.015

Source

J Affect Disord. 2013 Jul;149(1-3):367-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2013.02.015. Link to article on publisher's site

Related Resources

Link to Article in PubMed

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of affective disorders

PubMed ID

23477847

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