Offence-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology and guilt in mentally disordered violent and sexual offenders

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate trauma symptomatology specifically related to perpetrating a violent offence in a sample of mentally disordered offenders. We were particularly interested in measuring the association between offence-related guilt cognitions and offence-related trauma symptomatology. Data were collected from 45 inpatients at a regional and local secure unit. The measures administered were the Detailed Assessment of Posttraumatic Stress, the Trauma-Related Guilt Inventory, the Gudjonsson Blame Attribution Inventory, and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale. Other factors, including age, diagnosis, severity of the violent act, substance misuse and psychosis at the time of the offence, and relationship to the victim, were considered in relation to both trauma symptomatology and guilt cognitions. Results indicate that higher levels of trauma symptomatology are associated with higher levels of guilt cognitions. This remained significant once variance associated with offence severity and negative affect was accounted for. The results are discussed and the implications for assessment and treatment of this client group are considered.

Keywords:

• post-traumatic stress disorder
• PTSD
• mentally disordered offender
• guilt cognitions
• offence-related