The association between self-reported traumatic brain injury, neuropsychological function, and compliance among people serving community sentences

BACKGROUND

Traumatic brain injury is overrepresented in incarcerated samples and has been linked to a number of poor correctional outcomes. Despite this, no research has explored the impact of a recent TBI on compliance outcomes for individuals serving community-based.

METHOD

We screened for a history of TBI in 106 adults on community sentences and collected compliance (arrests, sentence violations) and related variables (e.g., risk scores, substance use) over 6 months. Sixty-four participants also completed the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), the Comprehensive Trail Making Test and Color-Word Inference Test.

RESULTS

A TBI in the last year predicted a significantly higher likelihood of arrest, even when controlling for risk of reconviction and current substance use, but was not associated with non-compliance with sentence conditions nor with performance on the neuropsychological tests. In addition, no significant associations were found between performance on neuropsychological tests and measures of non-compliance.

CONCLUSIONS

TBI in the last year was an independent predictor of arrest. This result suggests that those with a recent TBI on a community sentence may need additional monitoring or support to reduce the risk of reoffending.

The neurocognitive profiles of justice involved people with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A systematic review

Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is highly prevalent in criminal justice settings. Despite increased awareness of the neurocognitive deficits among justice-involved individuals with FASD, no systematic evaluation of the literature in the field has been conducted to date. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the neurocognitive profiles of justice-involved individuals with FASD, by searching five key electronic databases, dissertations database, and Google scholar, up to January 2021. The findings indicate that when contrasted with comparison groups, justice-involved individuals with FASD display significant impairment in a greater number of neurocognitive domains including intellectual capacity, executive function, language, academic achievements, motor skills, and adaptive living skills. The relatively small number of the studies included in the review, along with the confounding effects of comorbidities among study participants, precludes drawing firm conclusions about the true extent and implications of neurocognitive deficits in this population. To advance the field further, there is an urgent need to conduct robust studies involving larger samples of justice-involved individuals with FASD and suitable comparison groups. Advancing knowledge in the field can have important implications for understanding of the antecedents of offending behaviour in this population, and informing strategies for early identification and intervention.

Normal variability within a collegiate athlete sample: A rationale for comprehensive baseline testing

OBJECTIVE

Sport-related concussions continue to garner attention as research emerges about the effects of these injuries. Many have advocated for cognitive baselines; however, there is no uniform practice of neuropsychological baseline testing at the collegiate level leading to variance in administration and interpretation. Continuing clarification on best practices is essential for the field, especially considering previous research highlighting normal variability on cognitive tests in other populations, but also the need for separate normative sources for those with attention and learning problems. This study aimed to evaluate the range of normal variability in a diverse sample of collegiate athletes administered a traditional neuropsychological baseline.

METHOD

Neuropsychological baseline measures were collected on 236 Division 1 University student athletes over 4 years. Frequency of scores that fell at 1, 1.5, and 2 or greater standard deviations were reviewed. Student athletes were further evaluated for likelihood of factors which could impact results (i.e. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD], Specific Learning Disorder [SLD], and psychiatric distress).

RESULTS

The results demonstrated high rates of variability in most test scores for the collective sample. Student athletes at risk for ADHD, SLD, and/or psychiatric distress appeared to demonstrate a higher degree of variability relative to individuals with minimal risk.

CONCLUSION

Baseline evaluation data revealed the presence of normal variability in a student athlete population. Left unrecognized, this can lead to errors in clinical recommendations given the nature of concussion. Certain individuals have risk factors which may increase the range of variability, and this should be explored further in future research.