Curtin University Homepage
  • Library
  • FAQ
    • Log in

    espace - Curtin’s institutional repository

    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item

    Reducing impulsivity in repeat violent offenders: an open label trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Butler, Tony
    Schofield, P.
    Greenberg, D.
    Allnut, S.
    Indig, D.
    Carr, V.
    D'Este, C.
    Mitchell, P.
    Knight, L.
    Ellis, A.
    Date
    2010
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Type
    Journal Article
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract

    Background: The association between serotonergic dysfunction and aggression hasprompted the use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as a means of controllingimpulsive violent behaviour. The aim of the current study was to examine the feasibilityof using an SSRI to treat impulsivity in a group of repeat violent offenders.Methods: Potential participants were recruited from three magistrates ’ court complexes inthe Sydney metropolitan area and all had histories of violent offending (at least one priorconviction for a violent offence). Those who scored highly on the Barratt Impulsivity Scale(BIS-11), passed medical and psychiatric evaluations and consented to treatment wereprescribed sertraline (Zoloft) over a three month period.Results: Thirty-four individuals commenced the trial, with 20 completing the three month intervention.Reductions were observed across a range of behavioural measures from baseline to3 months: impulsivity (35%), irritability (45%), anger (63%), assault (51%), verbal-assault(40%), indirect-assault (63%), and depression (62%). All those who completed the three monthtrial requested to continue sertraline under the supervision of their own medical practitioner.Conclusion: Our fi ndings suggest that treating impulsive violent individuals in the criminaljustice system with an SSRI is a potential treatment opportunity for this population. Anadequately powered randomized control trial of this intervention is warranted.Key words: .

    Citation
    Butler, T. and Schofield, P. and Greenberg, D. and Allnut, S. and Indig, D. and Carr, V. and D'Este, C. et al. 2010. Reducing impulsivity in repeat violent offenders: an open label trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 44: pp. 1137-1143.
    Source Title
    Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/11653

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Pre- and post-sentence mental health service use by a population cohort of older offenders (≥45 years) in Western Australia
      Sodhi-Berry, N.; Knuiman, M.; Alan, Janine; Morgan, V.; Preen, D. (2015)
      Purpose - Information on older offenders’ mental health service (MHS) used before and after sentence is sparse. We therefore aimed to determine the 1-year prevalence of MHS use before sentence, and the likelihood and ...
    • Pre- and post-sentence mental health service use by a population cohort of older offenders (=45 years) in Western Australia
      Sodhi-Berry, N.; Knuiman, M.; Alan, Janine; Morgan, V.; Preen, D. (2015)
      © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Purpose: Information on older offenders’ mental health service (MHS) used before and after sentence is sparse. We therefore aimed to determine the 1-year prevalence of MHS use ...
    • Influence of offence type and prior imprisonment on risk of death following release from prison: a whole-population linked data study
      Jama-Alol, K.; Malacova, Eva; Ferrante, Anna; Alan, Janine; Stewart, Louise; Preen, D. (2015)
      Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of offence type, prior imprisonment and various socio-demographic characteristics on mortality at 28 and 365 days following prison release. Design/methodol ...
    Advanced search

    Browse

    Communities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsDocument TypesThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsDocument Types

    My Account

    Log in

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Connect with Curtin

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

    CRICOS Provider Code: 00301JABN: 99 143 842 569TEQSA: PRV12158

    Send FeedbackContact Us
    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2015  DuraSpace