Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Feb 12;80(2):18m12317.
doi: 10.4088/JCP.18m12317.

Psychiatric Disorders and Crime in the US Population: Results From the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave III

Kelly E Moore  1   2   3 , Lindsay M S Oberleitner  2 , Howard V Zonana  2 , Alec W Buchanan  2 , Brian P Pittman  2 , Terril L Verplaetse  2 , Gustavo A Angarita  2 , Walter Roberts  2 , Sherry A McKee  2
Affiliations

Psychiatric Disorders and Crime in the US Population: Results From the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave III

Kelly E Moore et al. J Clin Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Objective: Current knowledge regarding the intersection of psychiatric disorders and crime in the United States is limited to psychiatric, forensic, and youth samples. This study presents nationally representative data on the relationship of DSM-5 psychiatric disorders, comorbid substance and mental health disorders, and multimorbidity (number of disorders) with criminal behavior and justice involvement among non-institutionalized US adults.

Methods: Data were drawn from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave III (NESARC-III; 2012-2013; N = 36,309). Logistic regressions were used to examine the association of specific disorders (eg, mood, anxiety, eating, posttraumatic stress, substance use), comorbid substance use and mental health disorders, and multimorbidity with lifetime criminal behavior, incarceration experience, and past-12-month general, alcohol-related, and drug-related legal problems.

Results: Overall, 28.5% of participants reported a history of criminal behavior, 11.4% reported a history of incarceration, 1.8% reported current general legal problems, 0.8% reported current alcohol-related legal problems, and 2.7% reported current drug-related legal problems. The presence of any disorder was associated with a 4 to 5 times increased risk of crime outcomes. Drug use disorders were associated with the highest risk of lifetime crime (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.8; 95% CI, 6.1-7.6) and incarceration (AOR = 4.7; 95% CI, 4.1-5.3) and current legal problems (AOR = 3.3; 95% CI, 2.6-4.2). Multimorbidity and comorbid substance use and mental health disorders were associated with additional risk. Controlling for antisocial personality disorder did not change the findings.

Conclusions: Community adults with substance use disorders, comorbid substance use and mental health disorders, and increasing multimorbidity are most at risk of crime and justice involvement, highlighting the importance of community-based addiction treatment.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Potential conflicts of interest: None.

References

    1. McCormick S, Peterson-Badali M, Skilling T. Mental health and justice system involvement: A conceptual analysis of the literature. Psychol Public Policy, Law Public Policy Law. 2015;21(2):213–225. doi:10.1037/law0000033. - DOI
    1. Andrews DA, Bonta J. Rehabilitating Criminal Justice Policy and Practice. Psychol Public Policy, Law. 2010;16(1):39–55. doi:10.1037/a0018362. - DOI
    1. Skeem JL, Manchak S, Peterson JK. Correctional policy for offenders with mental illness: Creating a new paradigm for recidivism reduction. Law Hum Behav. 2011;35(2):110–126. doi:10.1007/s10979-010-9223-7. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Balyakina E, Mann C, Ellison M, et al. Risk of future offense among probationers with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Community Ment Health J. 2014;50(3):288–295. doi:10.1007/s10597-013-9624-4. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Constantine RJ, Petrila J, Andel R, et al. Arrest trajectories of adult offenders with a serious mental illness. Psychol Public Policy, Law. 2010;16(4):319–339. doi:10.1037/a0020852. - DOI

Publication types