Criminal Offending and Mental Disorders: Long-term bidirectional and intergenerational effects between mental health problems and offending behaviour

Objective. The relationship between crime and mental disorders has long been a topic of debate. While in public perception these two phenomena are often seen as inextricably linked, research has painted a more complex picture, with only little consensus about the precise nature of the association. The aim of this thesis is to further unravel the interrelations between offending and mental disorders and to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of their association over the life-course. Methods. First, a broader view is adopted as a strategy to assess the current understanding of the relationship. Then, a more specific stance is taken within the theoretical framework of developmental and life-course criminology in order (1) to link research into offending pathways with the study of longitudinal effects and intergenerational transmission of mental health problems and (2) to investigate the link between family socio-psychological factors, violence, and personality disorders over the life-course by using different quantitative methods and drawing on data from the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development. Results. Having drawn attention to the importance of studying different offending pathways in the development of mental health problems, the considerable heterogeneity of mental disorder symptoms, and the role of early-life family context, findings demonstrate (1) that those with more severe offending pathways have an overall greater vulnerability to developing internalising problems in middle adulthood, (2) that certain personality disorder symptoms, specifically cluster A and cluster B disorders, are associated with lifetime violent behaviour, and (3) that early life paternal offending is associated with adult children’s internalising and externalising problems. Conclusions. It is suggested that early-life interventions targeting families as part of their work can play an important role in preventing the development of both later-life internalising and externalising problems. Further, results highlight the importance of recognising the heterogeneity of people with internalising and externalising problems in order to offer responses that are effectively tailored to an individual’s needs. Finally, the thesis supports further efforts to improve mental health awareness and knowledge to reduce stigma