Abstract:

Purpose In community-based forensic psychiatry, patients' social ties are considered as protective factor in a risk management strategy. However, it is unknown whether these ties actually assist patients to refrain from re-offending. We hypothesised a protective role for social ties in re-offending behaviour. Methods In a sample of forensic outpatients with a personality disorder (N=55), the relationship between social ties (social contacts and participation in social institutions) and short-term self-reported re-offences was studied within a prospective study design with a 6-month follow-up period. Results Our results provide evidence for a protective function of club participation. For violent re-offences, social institutions were protective and this protective function remained, even when a patient had network members with a criminal background. Except for work-related contacts, social contacts did not provide protection. Conclusions The protective effect of social ties, especially club participation, on desistance from re-offending in forensic psychiatric patients merits further attention from researchers and clinicians.

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DOI: 10.1348/135532509X444528