Predicting Recidivism from Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors Presented at the UROP Symposium...
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Transcript of Predicting Recidivism from Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors Presented at the UROP Symposium...
Predicting Recidivism from Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors
Presented at the UROP Symposium
by
Jada Bittle
School of Social EcologyUniversity of California, Irvine
May 31, 2008
Mentally Ill Offenders in Criminal Justice System
Each year, half a million offenders with serious mental illnesses are placed on probation (Skeem, Encandela, & Eno Louden, 2003).
Probationers with mental illness (PMIs) are at double the risk of failing probation compared to their relatively healthy counterparts (Dauphinot, 1996).
“Failing” Probation
Probation Violations Technical violation: a violation of the terms imposed
by the court or the probation officer. These violations do not involve new criminal charges.
Drinking alcohol Failure to report to probation officer Failure to complete rehab or community service
New Offense: probationer is arrested and new criminal charges are brought against the probationer.
“Failing” Probation, Cont.
Probation Violation Penalties Once the probationer has violated the terms or
conditions of his probation, the judge can: Reinstate probation House arrest Extend Probation Probation Revocation (send the probationer back
to jail)
Risk Factor for Supervision Failure
Research suggests that PMIs have functional impairments that complicate their ability to follow conditions of probation, particularly:
Paying fees Reporting to probation Taking medication Working (Dauphinot, 1996; Skeem & Eno Louden, 2006)
Risk Factors for Supervision Failure
Research also suggests that supervision failure may be intrinsic to the individual, i.e. his disposition or personality (Skeem & Eno Louden, 2006).
Personality and Internalizing/Externalizing
Personality Features
•negative affectivity (neuroticism)
•overactive anxiety-related behaviors
•novelty-seeking
•overactive approach-related behaviors
Internalizing Externalizing(Fowles, 1993; Rothbart & Bates, 1998)
Why Study Internalizing and Externalizing?
Therefore, studying personality traits in the context of internalizing and externalizing behaviors could play a crucial role in understanding supervision failure among PMIs.
Internalizing Symptomology
Problems from within the individual and namely reflects affective and/or emotional states.
Anxiety Depression Suicidal thoughts
(Krueger, Caspi, Moffit & Silva, 1998.)
Externalizing Symptomology
A cluster of problem behaviors that are characterized by actions directed outwards, most often towards other people.
Aggression Violence Arguing Substance use
(Krueger, Caspi, Moffitt & Silva, 1998).
The Present Study
This study seeks to examine how two latent constructs, internalizing and externalizing, relate to outcomes
among PMIs.
Aims of Present Study
1. Determine how individuals high and low on externalizing and internalizing differ on violations, arrests, and revocation at six months.
2. Determine how well internalizing and externalizing make unique contributions to the prediction of the recidivism indices.
3. Determine if there is an interactive effect for internalizing and externalizing on recidivism.
Hypothesis…
These two behavioral constellations are differently related to recidivism in PMIs:
Internalizing symptomology will more strongly predict technical violations.
Externalizing symptomology is expected to predict criminal behavior (revocations and arrests).
Methods
PMIs participated in Dr. Jennifer Skeem’s multi-site study on probation and mental health.
All 358 participants were interviewed at baseline and 6 months later.
Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991). Evaluates adult personality and psychopathology Series of 344 statements
Four point scale ranging from “false, not at all true,” “slightly true,” “mainly true,” and “very true”.
Internalizing Scores
A composite of the: Anxiety scale
“It’s often hard for me to enjoy myself because I am worrying about things” (Question 65).
Depression scale “I’ve lost interest in things I used to enjoy”
(Question 166). Anxiety-related disorder scale
“Sometimes I get so nervous that I’m afraid I’m going to die” (Question 305).
Externalizing Scores
A composite of the: Antisocial behavior scale
“Sometimes I am very violent” (Question 101). Drug scale
“Sometimes I use drugs to feel better” (Question 22).
Alcohol scale “My drinking seems to cause problems in my
relationships with others” (Question 135).
Recidivism
Assessed at six months and included: Technical Violations
Failure to report to probation officer Failure to pay fines
Arrests New offenses
Probation revocation Sent back to jail
Participants
Sample: 358 PMIs 58% male, 42%
female Average age: 37 yrs
old49%
9%
38%
1%1% 2%
Caucasian
African American
Hispanic
Asian/ PacificIslanderAmerican Indian
Other
Participants Cont…
19%
15%
41%
25%
Bipolar
Schizophrenia
Depression
Other
36% had a co-occurring substance abuse diagnosis.
75% of the sample had been arrested three or more times.
INT and EXT scores were correlated at r=.25, p<.001.
The only significant difference between high and low groups was for externalization and arrests.
* *
* p<.05
Results for Aim 1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Violations Arrests Revocations
High Externalizing
Low Externalizing* *
% of PMIs
There was a trend toward internalizing predicting violations.
* *
Results for Aim 2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Violations Arrests Revocations
High Internalizing
Low Internalizing
% of PMIs
Externalizing uniquely predicted arrest.
* *
* p<.05
Results for Aim 2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Violations Arrests Revocations
High Externalizing
Low Externalizing* *
% of PMIs
Results of Aim 3
There was no significant internalizing*externalizing interaction
for any of the three recidivism indices.
Discussion
The results of this study suggest that: Internalizing symptoms may be more
associated with violations. Externalizing symptoms may be more
associated with arrests.
Present Study’s Contribution
Help inform treatment programs that focus on factors linked with externalizing.
Assist probation officers by providing a framework from which to assess and trouble-shoot non-compliance.
Acknowledgments
A Big “Thank You” to:
Dr. Jennifer SkeemSarah ManchakPat Kennealy
Dr. Val JennessResearch Participants
UROPPsychology and Law Research
Lab aka “ The Skeem Team”
Contact Information
Jada BittleDepartment of Criminology, Law & Society
Department of Psychology and Social Behavior Social Ecology Honors Program
University of California, Irvine
Thanks!