Posttraumatic stress disorder in a Swiss offender population

Abstract

Many empirical studies have repeatedly shown an increased prevalence for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in delinquents when compared with the general population - lifetime prevalence varying between 33% and 36%, and point prevalence between 17% and 21%.The aim of this study was to examine whether these findings are valid for offenders detained in Switzerland.The sample consisted of 86 offenders administered by the Zurich Office of Penal Correction. In order to control for over-reporting of traumatic life events three sub-samples (remand, sentenced/inpatient and sentenced/outpatient) were analyzed, the assumption being that these three groups have a different need to over-report. PTSD was diagnosed using the PDS (Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale), a self-rating instrument for diagnosing PTSD according to the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Version IV).Point prevalence of PTSD was conservatively estimated at 27%. The three sub-samples did not differ in PTSD prevalence when adjusted for potential demographic differences. Seventy-five percent of the subjects had experienced at least one traumatic event that matched the criteria for a traumatic event according to the DSM-IV. The Median number of traumatizing life events according to the PDS was four in the examined sample.Thus in this sample of male prisoners in Switzerland the point prevalence of PTSD was slightly increased compared to other international studies.