Most first-episode psychosis patients in this urban sample had been previously incarcerated
Among 109 urban first-episode psychosis patients, 57.8% had prior incarcerations, and those with incarceration history reported starting cannabis use at a younger age.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
In a sample of 109 patients hospitalized for first-episode psychosis in an urban setting, 57.8% reported previous incarceration. Among those with incarceration history, 58.1% had been incarcerated more than once, averaging 2.9 incarcerations.
Patients who had been incarcerated had completed fewer years of education, reported earlier cannabis use initiation, and were more likely to meet criteria for cannabis and alcohol dependence or abuse. They also had more psychosocial problems and more severe general psychopathology symptoms.
The study highlighted that many individuals with psychotic disorders first encounter the criminal justice system rather than the mental health system.
Key Numbers
57.8% of 109 patients had prior incarceration history. Among incarcerated patients, 58.1% had multiple incarcerations, with a mean of 2.9 incarcerations. Earlier cannabis use initiation was associated with incarceration history.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional study of 109 urban, low-income, predominantly African-American patients hospitalized for first-episode psychosis. Researchers compared those with and without prior incarceration on demographic, clinical, and substance use variables.
Why This Research Matters
The finding that most first-episode psychosis patients in this sample had already been incarcerated suggests the mental health system is reaching many people too late. Earlier cannabis use was one of several risk factors associated with incarceration.
The Bigger Picture
This study sat at the intersection of mental health, substance use, and criminal justice. It suggested that early intervention for psychosis, including addressing substance use, might help reduce incarceration rates in this population.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot establish whether cannabis use contributed to incarceration or psychosis. The sample was predominantly African-American and urban, limiting generalizability. Self-reported incarceration and substance use data may be affected by recall or reporting biases.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would early psychosis intervention programs reduce incarceration rates?
- ?Does earlier cannabis use directly increase incarceration risk, or are both driven by shared social factors?
- ?How can mental health and criminal justice systems better coordinate for this population?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 57.8% of first-episode psychosis patients had prior incarceration
- Evidence Grade:
- Single-site cross-sectional study with a specific demographic sample. Shows associations but cannot determine causation.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2011. The intersection of psychosis, substance use, and incarceration remains an active area of research and policy debate.
- Original Title:
- Prevalence and psychosocial correlates of prior incarcerations in an urban, predominantly African-American sample of hospitalized patients with first-episode psychosis.
- Published In:
- The journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 39(1), 57-64 (2011)
- Authors:
- Ramsay, Claire E(2), Goulding, Sandra M, Broussard, Beth(4), Cristofaro, Sarah L, Abedi, Glen R, Compton, Michael T
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00514
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis cause incarceration?
This study found an association between earlier cannabis use and incarceration history, but could not determine causation. Many shared factors, including poverty, limited education, and lack of mental health services, likely contribute to both.
Why were so many psychosis patients previously incarcerated?
The high incarceration rate suggests many people with emerging psychotic symptoms encounter the criminal justice system before the mental health system. Substance use, behavioral changes, and lack of early intervention all play a role.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00514APA
Ramsay, Claire E; Goulding, Sandra M; Broussard, Beth; Cristofaro, Sarah L; Abedi, Glen R; Compton, Michael T. (2011). Prevalence and psychosocial correlates of prior incarcerations in an urban, predominantly African-American sample of hospitalized patients with first-episode psychosis.. The journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 39(1), 57-64.
MLA
Ramsay, Claire E, et al. "Prevalence and psychosocial correlates of prior incarcerations in an urban, predominantly African-American sample of hospitalized patients with first-episode psychosis.." The journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 2011.
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Prevalence and psychosocial correlates of prior incarceratio..." RTHC-00514. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/ramsay-2011-prevalence-and-psychosocial-correlates
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.