Reducing impulsivity in repeat violent offenders: an open label trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Background: The association between serotonergic dysfunction and aggression hasprompted the use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as a means of controllingimpulsive violent behaviour. The aim of the current study was to examine the feasibilityof using an SSRI to treat impulsivity i...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
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Taylor & Francis Ltd
2010
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/11653 |
| _version_ | 1848747863747592192 |
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| author | Butler, Tony Schofield, P. Greenberg, D. Allnut, S. Indig, D. Carr, V. D'Este, C. Mitchell, P. Knight, L. Ellis, A. |
| author_facet | Butler, Tony Schofield, P. Greenberg, D. Allnut, S. Indig, D. Carr, V. D'Este, C. Mitchell, P. Knight, L. Ellis, A. |
| author_sort | Butler, Tony |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Background: The association between serotonergic dysfunction and aggression hasprompted the use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as a means of controllingimpulsive violent behaviour. The aim of the current study was to examine the feasibilityof using an SSRI to treat impulsivity in a group of repeat violent offenders.Methods: Potential participants were recruited from three magistrates ’ court complexes inthe Sydney metropolitan area and all had histories of violent offending (at least one priorconviction for a violent offence). Those who scored highly on the Barratt Impulsivity Scale(BIS-11), passed medical and psychiatric evaluations and consented to treatment wereprescribed sertraline (Zoloft) over a three month period.Results: Thirty-four individuals commenced the trial, with 20 completing the three month intervention.Reductions were observed across a range of behavioural measures from baseline to3 months: impulsivity (35%), irritability (45%), anger (63%), assault (51%), verbal-assault(40%), indirect-assault (63%), and depression (62%). All those who completed the three monthtrial requested to continue sertraline under the supervision of their own medical practitioner.Conclusion: Our fi ndings suggest that treating impulsive violent individuals in the criminaljustice system with an SSRI is a potential treatment opportunity for this population. Anadequately powered randomized control trial of this intervention is warranted.Key words: . |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T06:55:55Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-11653 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T06:55:55Z |
| publishDate | 2010 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Ltd |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-116532017-02-28T01:33:31Z Reducing impulsivity in repeat violent offenders: an open label trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor Butler, Tony Schofield, P. Greenberg, D. Allnut, S. Indig, D. Carr, V. D'Este, C. Mitchell, P. Knight, L. Ellis, A. impulsivity Offenders selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor Background: The association between serotonergic dysfunction and aggression hasprompted the use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as a means of controllingimpulsive violent behaviour. The aim of the current study was to examine the feasibilityof using an SSRI to treat impulsivity in a group of repeat violent offenders.Methods: Potential participants were recruited from three magistrates ’ court complexes inthe Sydney metropolitan area and all had histories of violent offending (at least one priorconviction for a violent offence). Those who scored highly on the Barratt Impulsivity Scale(BIS-11), passed medical and psychiatric evaluations and consented to treatment wereprescribed sertraline (Zoloft) over a three month period.Results: Thirty-four individuals commenced the trial, with 20 completing the three month intervention.Reductions were observed across a range of behavioural measures from baseline to3 months: impulsivity (35%), irritability (45%), anger (63%), assault (51%), verbal-assault(40%), indirect-assault (63%), and depression (62%). All those who completed the three monthtrial requested to continue sertraline under the supervision of their own medical practitioner.Conclusion: Our fi ndings suggest that treating impulsive violent individuals in the criminaljustice system with an SSRI is a potential treatment opportunity for this population. Anadequately powered randomized control trial of this intervention is warranted.Key words: . 2010 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/11653 Taylor & Francis Ltd restricted |
| spellingShingle | impulsivity Offenders selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor Butler, Tony Schofield, P. Greenberg, D. Allnut, S. Indig, D. Carr, V. D'Este, C. Mitchell, P. Knight, L. Ellis, A. Reducing impulsivity in repeat violent offenders: an open label trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor |
| title | Reducing impulsivity in repeat violent offenders: an open label trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor |
| title_full | Reducing impulsivity in repeat violent offenders: an open label trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor |
| title_fullStr | Reducing impulsivity in repeat violent offenders: an open label trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reducing impulsivity in repeat violent offenders: an open label trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor |
| title_short | Reducing impulsivity in repeat violent offenders: an open label trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor |
| title_sort | reducing impulsivity in repeat violent offenders: an open label trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor |
| topic | impulsivity Offenders selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/11653 |