What Psychological and Sociodemographic Challenges are Linked to Criminal Justice Involvement among Veterans and Service Members with and without TBI? A LIMBIC-CENC Study

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To examine sociodemographic and psychological factors associated with history of arrests and felony incarceration among Veterans and Service Members (V/SM) with and without history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). <h3>Design</h3> Survey; Multicenter cohort study. <h3>Setting</h3> Eight Veteran Affairs and Department of Defense medical hospitals. <h3>Participants</h3> V/SM completed a baseline assessment for Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (N=1,555). Participants were predominantly male (87%), white (72%), and 40 years old (SD=9.71). Most (83%) reported a history of at least one mTBI). <h3>Interventions</h3> Not applicable. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Self-report measure of lifetime arrest/felony incarceration history. <h3>Results</h3> Three groups were composed based on level of involvement with the criminal justice system: 1.) No history of arrests or incarcerations (65%), 2.) A lifetime history of arrest but no felony incarceration (32%), and 3.) A lifetime history of felony incarceration (3%). Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis H tests revealed statistically significant differences between the groups in demographic factors including the incarcerated group having younger age, greater percentage of men, lower education, and greater percentage of never being married, followed by the arrest group and then the no arrest group (all p < .05). The incarcerated group also had the highest level of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, lowest social support, and greatest percentage of hazardous alcohol consumption, followed by the arrest and then the no arrest groups (all p < .05). No differences were found between groups for mTBI history. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The correlates of legal involvement among V/SM span demographic and psychological dimensions. Some correlates are modifiable, including social support, PTSD symptoms, and alcohol consumption. Addressing these modifiable risk factors is critical to lower the risk of future criminal justice involvement. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command and from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium under Award No. W81XWH-13-2-0095. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, 820 Chandler Street, Fort Detrick MD 21702-5014 is the awarding and administering acquisition office. All authors denied any conflicts of interests.