Relationships between abnormal neurodevelopment and traumatic brain injury early in life and offending

Ferguson, Kirstin (2021) Relationships between abnormal neurodevelopment and traumatic brain injury early in life and offending. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) early in life is common. Where recovery is poor, TBI can adversely impact typical brain development and function, and increase the risk of offending. Aim To systematically review the evidence for a relationship between TBI early in life and offending, with specific consideration of the effects of age at injury and injury severity.

Methods: To identify relevant papers, electronic database searches (CINIHAL, PsycInfo, MEDLINE, EMBASE) were carried out using relevant search terms. Reference lists from included articles were also hand searched. The papers were assessed for risk of bias using set criteria. Some papers were co-rated by an independent person.

Results: Twenty-one articles were included. Articles rated as low bias provided evidence to suggest that TBI before the age of 26 is associated with increased risk of offending, particularly violent offending, where TBI occurs after the age of 6 or 12 and is more severe. Potential mediators associated with executive function such as self-control and temperament, were identified.

Conclusions: Whilst there was some evidence to suggest TBI before age 26 increases offending risk, limitations and bias in studies indicates a need for further good quality research.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Offending, youth, head injury, traumatic brain injury.
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: McMillan, Prof. Tom
• Date of Award: 2021
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2021-82470
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 04 Oct 2021 09:05
• Last Modified: 24 Nov 2022 10:30
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.82470
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/82470