Depression and anxiety outcomes of offending trajectories: A systematic review of prospective longitudinal studies

Abstract

BackgroundEarlier research has studied different typologies of offending (e.g., adolescence-limited, late-onset, life-course-persistent), but little is known about the mental health problems of different offender groups. ObjectivesThis paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature on the link between developmental trajectories of offending and adult mental health outcomes (i.e., anxiety and/or depression). MethodsA meta-analysis was carried out to synthesize information on different offender types and associated adult mental health problems. Analyses were based on data from prospective longitudinal studies. ResultsA total of 158 reports relating to 53 longitudinal studies were screened. Twenty-one reports were included in the systematic review and nine reports were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to non-offenders, the odds for mental health problems were nearly three-times higher for life-course-persistent offenders (OR = 2.72; CI: 2.18 to 3.40) and almost twice as high for late-onset offenders (OR = 1.70; CI: 1.37 to 2.12). Adolescence-limited offenders suffered the least mental health problems (OR = 1.41; CI: 1.16 to 1.71). ConclusionsDifferent offender groups face varying probabilities of mental health problems. Implications for policy and practice are discussed. More research needs to empirically investigate how and when poor mental health is related to chronic and persistent offending.