Mental Health Challenges and Compromised Quality of Life among Offenders

Pic: Eliott Reyna, Unsplash, posed by models

Investigators: Dr Maria Ttofi, Prof David P. Farrington, Dr Alex R. Piquero and Dr Tara R. MGee  

This is a programme based on international coordinated research among Principal Investigators of prospective longitudinal studies from across the world. Earlier research looked at mental health levels for ‘criminal offenders’ but it was heavily flawed into treating all offenders as one homogeneous group. This resulted into a distorted image on issues of mental health, based on aggregate levels of social problems that did not reflect the true level of adversities faced by specific antisocial individuals. ‘Criminals’ may also be seen as victims, as individuals in need. 

Addressing the true levels of mental health problems faced by long-term career offenders is a meaningful way for promoting a health reintegration of this vulnerable group back into society. This is also the case for individuals facing long-term imprisonment. 

Key publications

  • Reising, K., Ttofi, M. M., Farrington, D. P., & Piquero, A. R. (2019). Depression and anxiety outcomes of offending trajectories: A systematic review of prospective longitudinal studies. Journal of Criminal Justice, 62, 3-15.
  • Reising, K., Ttofi, M. M., Farrington, D. P., & Piquero, A. R. (2019). The impact of longitudinal offending trajectories on mental health: Lifetime consequences and intergenerational transfer. Journal of Criminal Justice, 62, 16-22.
  • Gaffney, H., Farrington, D.P., Espelage, D.L., Ttofi, M. M. (2019). Are cyberbullying intervention and prevention programs effective? A systematic and meta-analytical review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 45, 134 – 153.