Examining the Relationship Between Psychiatric Medication Nonadherence and Criminal Offending: Do Criminogenic Needs Matter?

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

A large body of research suggests that mental illness does not play a direct role in offending behavior for the majority of mentally ill
offenders. Thus, treating the mental illness may not be enough to prevent mentally ill offenders from engaging in criminal behavior. While
medication nonadherence is a common problem that can undermine the effectiveness of the medications and result in a mental illness relapse,
very little is known about how this influences offending behavior. This study examines the relationship between psychiatric medication adherence and offending among a sample of mentally ill parolees receiving psychiatric treatment. Specifically, we explore whether factors such as
methamphetamine use and behavioral patterns associated with criminal lifestyle mediate this relationship. The implications of these results on
theoretical development and practical application will be discussed.

Authors

• Stacy Calhoun, University of California, Los Angeles / University of California, Irvine

• Jeremy Braithwaite, University of California, Irvine