Abstract
Mental health difficulties, family and childhood adversity factors, substance use and conduct problems have all been linked to offending behaviour in the general population. However, no large-scale study with comparison groups has investigated these risk factors in relation to autistic offenders. The current research included 40 autistic offenders, 40 autistic non-offenders, 40 typically developed (TD) offenders and 39 TD non-offenders. Conduct problems risk factors differentiated autistic offenders from both non-offender groups (autistic and TD) and mental health risk factors differentiated autistic offenders from both TD groups (offenders and non-offenders). Further research is required to understand more about the role of both conduct problems risk factors in autistic offenders (e.g., age at onset, frequency of behaviours) and the mental health needs of autistic offenders.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD, hereafter autism) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by difficulties with reciprocal social interaction and communication as well as restricted, stereotyped and repetitive behaviour, activities and interests (American Psychiatric Association 2013; World Health Organization 2018)
The general typically developed (TD) offender literature identifies a number of risk factors for offending, including mental health difficulties (e.g., Bebbington et al 2017, Murray et al 2013), family and childhood adversity risk factors (e.g., Derzon 2010; Murray et al 2012, 2013; Tharp et al 2012), substance use (e.g., Bebbington et al 2017; Fazel et al 2006; Murray et al 2013; Tharp et al 2012; Whitaker et al 2008) and conduct problems (e.g., Mordre et al 2011; Young et al 2016)
The aim of the present study was to investigate a wide range of risk factors within a large sample of autistic offenders, comparing results to three comparison groups in order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the risk factors for offending in autistic individuals
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD, hereafter autism) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by difficulties with reciprocal social interaction and communication as well as restricted, stereotyped and repetitive behaviour, activities and interests (American Psychiatric Association 2013; World Health Organization 2018). The general TD offender literature identifies a number of risk factors for offending, including mental health difficulties (e.g., Bebbington et al 2017, Murray et al 2013), family and childhood adversity risk factors (e.g., Derzon 2010; Murray et al 2012, 2013; Tharp et al 2012), substance use (e.g., Bebbington et al 2017; Fazel et al 2006; Murray et al 2013; Tharp et al 2012; Whitaker et al 2008) and conduct problems (e.g., Mordre et al 2011; Young et al 2016). There has been limited research into the role of these risk factors (co-occurring mental health conditions; adverse childhood events; substance use; conduct problems) in the likelihood of autistic individuals engaging in offending.
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