Intellectual Disability among Violent Repeat Offenders and Its Relation with Psychopathology and Self-Sufficiency

Abstract

Despite the recognized importance of mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID) among offender populations, there is insufficient understanding of its prevalence and associations with other social-psychiatric problems. Therefore this study investigated MBID prevalence and its relation with psychopathology and self-sufficiency problems (SSPs) in important life-domains among young adult violent repeat offenders (N = 432) enrolled in a focused deterrence program in Amsterdam. Offenders participated voluntarily in a social psychiatric screening which included the Screener for Intellectual Disability and Learning Disorders (SCIL) to assess MBID, the Dutch version of the self-sufficiency matrix (SSM-D) to assess SSPs, and an assessment of the presence of psychiatric disorders according to DSM methodology. Results showed an MBID prevalence of 51.1%. Nearly all offenders presented with at least one psychiatric disorder (95.0%) and SSPs in multiple life-domains. Among MBID offenders, symptoms of mood- and anxiety disorders, substance dependency and higher variety in SSPs were more frequently observed than among non MBID offenders. These results indicate the importance of adapting communication and treatment programs to increase their responsivity to MBID offenders. Self-sufficiency problems, that may reflect shortcomings in adaptive functioning specifically among MBID offenders, can be considered criminogenic needs and should be targeted accordingly to reduce recidivism.