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There is empirical evidence that sexual recidivism rates have been dropping for several decades, but it remains unclear whether this drop is an artifact of changing research methodologies over the years. The current study, therefore, examines whether the sexual recidivism drop is robust while accounting for various methodological factors. The study is based on a systematic review and a quantitative meta-analysis of 468 empirical studies published between 1940 and 2019 that reported sexual recidivism rates. A total of 626 estimations (n = 388,994) of sexual recidivism were retrieved for the study period and of those, 238 were independent observations (n = 196,651). A series of sensitivity analyses were conducted using a meta-regression approach. A series of meta-regression analyses show that, even after accounting for various methodological factors (e.g., study settings, follow-up length, recidivism criteria), there has been a sexual recidivism rate drop of about 45–60% since the 1970s. The study findings confirm the presence of a sexual recidivism drop while recognizing that sexual recidivism rates are sensitive to methodological details. • Sexual recidivism rates reported between 1940 and 2019 were analyzed. • When these rates are pooled and weighted, between 9 and 14% of perpetrators are sexual recidivists. • More recent estimates suggest that about 6% of perpetrators are sexual recidivists. • Sexual recidivism rates have dropped between 45 and 60% since the 1970s. • The sexual recidivism drop does not appear to be the result of changing methodologies over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk assessment tools are increasingly being used to guide decisions about supervision and treatment of domestic violence perpetrators. However, earlier review studies showed that the predictive validity of most of these tools is limited, and is reflected in small average effect sizes. The present study aimed to meta-analytically examine the predictive validity of domestic violence risk assessment tools, and to identify tool characteristics that positively moderate the predictive validity. A literature search yielded 50 independent studies (N = 68,855) examining the predictive validity of 39 different tools, of which 205 effect sizes could be extracted. Overall, a significant discriminative accuracy was found (AUC = 0.647), indicating a moderate predictive accuracy. Tools specifically developed for assessing the risk of domestic violence performed as well as risk predictions based on victim ratings and tools designed for predicting general/violent criminal recidivism. Actuarial instruments (AUC = 0.657) outperformed Structured Clinical Judgment (SCJ) tools (AUC = 0.580) in predicting domestic violence. The onset of domestic violence (AUC = 0.744) could be better predicted than recurrence of domestic violence (AUC = 0.643), which is a promising finding for early detection and prevention of domestic violence. Suggestions for the improvement of risk assessment strategies are presented. • The predictive value of domestic violence risk tools was meta-analytically examined. • Overall, a moderate predictive accuracy was found (AUC = 0.647). • Different approaches to assessment all showed similar predictive accuracies. • Actuarial instruments outperformed Structured Clinical Judgment tools. • Domestic violence onset is better predictable than domestic violence recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives Relationships between the health insurance status and healthcare use among justice-involved youths transitioning into adulthood is an underexplored topic, even if transition to adulthood is a crucial time period for healthcare outcomes. To fill in these knowledge gaps, this study had two aims: (1) to examine trajectories of health insurance coverage and healthcare use among serious juvenile offenders transitioning into adulthood; and (2) to explore associations between the lack of health insurance, healthcare use and reincarceration. Study design We conducted a secondary analysis on the data of the US longitudinal Pathways to Desistance study between ages 20 and 23 years (2000–2010). Methods Participant data on health insurance coverage, healthcare use, reincarceration and sociodemographic variables (n = 1215) were extracted and analysed using descriptive statistics, generalized linear regressions and cross-lagged panel models. Results About half of the young offenders had no health insurance coverage or intermittent coverage between the age of 20 and 23 years. Emergency services were used (≥17.4%), notably more by insured participants and were increasingly used over time. Being uninsured at the age of 20 years was associated with reincarceration at the age of 23 years (b = −0.052, p = 0.014, odd-ratio = 0.95), but incarceration at the age of 20 years did not predict the insurance status at the age of 23 years (b = 0.009, p = 0.792). Conclusions Serious juvenile offenders, especially if uninsured, faced major barriers to accessing health care and often reported an inappropriate healthcare use. This likely led to reincarceration. The lack of continuity of care and of access to health care may, therefore, increase health disparities, and efforts are needed to mitigate detrimental outcomes, by effective in and out of detention coordination of health insurance coverage and among health services. Highlights • Justice-involved youths experience healthcare challenges. • These challenges include being uninsured or lack of/inadequate healthcare use. • A lack of health insurance may lead to detrimental outcomes such as reincarceration. • Transition into adulthood is a risky period for healthcare access and use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple repetition of self-harm is common and is associated with poor quality of life and with an increased risk of suicide. Treatment outside specialist clinics rarely takes account of what is known about the varied and conflicting reasons for multiple repetition. We aimed to identify ways in which individuals who self-harm make sense of their motivations for repetition. In 2018/2019 we recruited 59 participants from NHS services, support organizations in England and via social media into a Q-methodology study. Participants sorted, ranked and commented on 46 separate functions of self-harm according to whether they agreed or disagreed with them as reasons for their own self-harm. The functions were identified from a range of academic sources and first-person accounts. Principal Component Analysis was used to identify four distinct accounts for repeated self-harm: 1) Managing my mental state, 2) Communicating Distress, 3) Distract from suicidal thoughts or feelings and 4) Producing positive feelings. There were no clear links between account and gender or other respondent characteristic, although those who self-harmed most regularly and frequently ('so many times I've lost count') were mostly in Accounts 1 and 4. This is the first study to use Q methodology to explore reasons for repeated self-harm. The accounts identified can help in personalizing therapy by going beyond models that focus on a single function such as affect regulation or experiential avoidance, while reducing the field to a manageable number of points of view that can be explored in therapy. • The first study to use Q methodology to explore reasons for repeated self-harm. • Q-sort items were drawn from a wide literature including first person accounts. • Four clinically meaningful accounts of functions for repeated self-harm identified. • The accounts are being used within a RCT of psychological therapy for self-harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While many scholars have investigated potential predictors of institutional misconduct among adult inmates, few have assessed the determinants of misconduct among incarcerated juvenile delinquents. This lack of research attention to the predictors of institutional misconduct is especially notable among female delinquents. As females have been theorized to have unique pathways to offending, it is pertinent to examine their pathways to institutional misconduct. The current study investigates potential predictors of violent misconduct among a large sample (n = 1061) of state-committed serious female delinquents in a large southern state. Using negative binomial regression models, a large number of variables were examined that describe the youths' background, delinquency history, and commitment offense. While only a few individual-level factors such as poor mental health predicted violent misconduct, a larger number of delinquent history measures such as committing a violent offense and being sentenced to a blended sentence emerged as important predictors of involvement in violent institutional misconduct. Policy implications and limitations of the study are also discussed. • Few studies assess predictors of misconduct among female delinquents. • Predictors of violent misconduct among serious female delinquents were studied. • Many delinquent background characteristics were identified as significant predictors. • Unique risk factors included poor mental health and committing a violent offense. • More attention should be paid to identifying sex-specific misconduct predictors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]