Alcohol use disorder as a risk factor for violent offending and reoffending in delinquent women with substance use disorders

Abstract

Female gender is generally less associated with aggressive behavior and violent offending than male gender. Therefore, most studies on violence and (re-)offending include only men. However, it is crucial to better understand pathways to female offending in order to enable efficient psychological interventions and risk assessment in women. Well-established risk factors for aggressive behavior include alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other substance use disorders (SUDs). We retrospectively analyzed the association of AUD and other SUDs with violent offending and reoffending in a sample of female offenders (N = 334) in a forensic treatment facility. In total, 72% of the patients with an AUD had committed a violent crime leading to admission, whereas only 19% of those with other SUDs had. Over 70% of the participants with AUD had a family history of AUD, and over 83% had experienced physical violence in adulthood. Rates of AUD and other SUDs did not differ regarding aggressive behavior during inpatient treatment, while the risk of reoffending with a violent crime after discharge was nine times higher in patients with an AUD than in those with other SUDs. Our results indicate that AUD is a significant risk factor for violent offending and reoffending in women. A familial background of AUD and a history of physical abuse increase the probability for both AUD and offending, suggesting a possible interaction between (epi-)genetic and environmental factors. The comparable rates of aggression during inpatient treatment in patients with AUD and other SUDs indicate that abstinence is a protective factor for violence.

The curse of experiencing and committing violence as a criminal recidivism predictor: A comparison between female forensic psychiatric patients with severe mental disorders and substance use disorder

“…While studies identified alcohol as one of the main factors influencing reoffending and violent crimes overall in forensic psychiatric patient populations in both sexes/genders [29][30][31], we were able to extend these prognostic factors. Particularly, the present findings show that a violent index crime as well as physical aggression during the hospitalization period did indeed serve as negative predictors of violent reoffending in the addiction group.…”

Unmet need for alcohol use disorder treatment in reproductive-age females, with emphasis on pregnant and parenting populations in the United States: Findings from NSDUH 2015–2021

“…Among those who reported past-year AUD, pregnant and parenting women had a higher prevalence of treatment relative to the not pregnant, not parenting women (see Table 2). Treatment was modestly patterned by age, with the oldest group age (35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49) most likely to receive treatment (5.3%, 95%CI: 4.3-6.4), followed by the middle age group (ages 26-34 years; 4.9%, 95%CI: 3.8-6.1) and then the youngest (ages 18-25; 3.3.%, 95%CI: 2.6-4). Women with less than high school education and those in the lowest annual household income category had a higher treatment prevalence (8.0%, 95%CI: 5.8-10.2 and 7.1%, 95% CI: 5.4-8.8 respectively) relative to their counterparts with higher education or household incomes.…”

“…History of arrests displayed the strongest association with both AUD and AUD treatment. The link between alcohol misuse and criminal behavior may be bidirectional, with AUD increasing the likelihood of engaging in criminal activities [37] and involvement with the criminal justice system increasing the risk of substance use disorders [38]. Women with a history of arrests may have encountered legal consequences related to their substance use, such as courtmandated treatment or probation requirements [39][40][41].…”

Predicting violence in female forensic inpatients with substance use disorders – the utility of a gender-responsive assessment

“…Another study examining gender differences in violent offending also revealed lower educational achievement, adverse childhood experiences, and mental health issues to be more prevalent in women ( 24 ). Further risk factors include self-harm ( 25 ), low self-esteem ( 8 ) and alcohol use disorder ( 26 ).…”