A Novel Sampling Approach for Neurocriminological Research in the Community: The Long Beach Rescue Mission

• In Event: Neurocriminological Approaches: Innovative Paradigms from the West Coast

Abstract

This study presents a novel community sampling approach to the neurobiological study of crime, focusing on adversity factors associated with homelessness (substance abuse, traumatic brain injury [TBI], mental illness, and criminal justice system involvement). Here we will report: (1) our unique community sampling method, (2) descriptive characteristics of our sample, including prevalence rates of the adversity factors mentioned above, and (3) initial findings related to the chronological sequencing of onset of adversity factors. To date, 44 men have been recruited from a rescue mission providing services to homeless individuals in Long Beach, California. Participants are administered a comprehensive protocol including neuropsychological and psychophysiological measures, along with clinical interviews (psychiatric, psychosocial, TBI), and self-report crime measures. These participants are diverse in age and ethnicity, and are characterized by elevated rates of mental illness (most-saliently substance use disorders, antisocial personality disorder, and psychotic disorders), TBI, and criminal justice system histories. Preliminary analyses indicate head injury/TBI most-often occurred first among the adversity factors; and that in a majority of participants, most or all of the adversity factors preceded homelessness. Three distinct chronological sequences of adversity factors emerged most often (one with initial substance use disorder, and two with initial head injury/TBI). Implications for neurocriminological research will be discussed.

Authors

• Esther Kim, California State University, Long Beach

• Jeremy Feiger, California State University, Long Beach

• Gianni Geraci, California State University, Long Beach

• Heather McLernon, California State University, Long Beach

• Jennifer Ostergren, California State University, Long Beach

• Robert Schug, California State University, Long Beach