Shame, Guilt, and Risk Behaviours in Forensic Inpatients: An Introduction for Services Considering Participation in this Research Study

This presentation introduces the NHS Health Research Authority-approved research study, 'Shame, Guilt, and Risk Behaviours in Forensic Inpatients'. This multi-site, cross-sectional study will investigate the relationship between experiences of shame, guilt, and risk behaviours (specifically violence, self-harm, and suicide), within a forensic population (specifically, an inpatient forensic mental health sample). Research has previously highlighted the influence of shame and guilt on factors related to risk and general recidivism. Theories suggest that shame and guilt exert distinct causal influences on engagement in risk behaviours, including violence, self-harm, and suicide; despite this, research evidence to test these theories remains limited, especially within populations which disproportionately engage in risk behaviours (e.g., forensic populations). The present study will utilise a cross-sectional, correlational design to investigate the relationship between forensic inpatients' experiences of shame and guilt and their engagement in risk behaviours. This research will support the identification of potential criminogenic risk factors, and guide efforts to reduce risk and harm in forensic populations.