Female children with incarcerated adult family members at risk for lifelong neurological decline

Abstract

A secondary analysis of data from adult female prison inmates in the mid-Atlantic United States defined relationships between having incarcerated adult family members during childhood and neurological outcomes. Of 135 inmates, 99(73%) had one or more incarcerated adult family members during childhood. Regression analyses revealed that having incarcerated adult family members was related to greater frequency and severity of childhood abuse and higher incidence of neurological deficits in adulthood, especially related to traumatic brain injuries, compared to those without incarcerated adult family members. Along with being role models, adult family members impact the neurological health of children throughout their lifespan.

Associations between adverse childhood experiences and acquired brain injury, including traumatic brain injuries, among adults: 2014 BRFSS North Carolina

“…Although these results are novel in relation to ABI/TBI within a general population, these findings align with previous studies in female children, adults with severe mental illness and adult homeless population linking ACEs to risk for brain injury. [29][30][31] Data on individual ACEs and their association with ABI and TBI were provided. Findings revealed that five out of the eight ACEs examined were significantly associated with ABI, while four out of the eight ACEs (ie, sexual abuse, physical abuse, household on October mental illness and an incarcerated household member) were significantly associated with TBI.…”

Neurobiology of Female Homicide Perpetrators

“…Neurological histories were validated by neurological examinations for all subjects in this data set and data collection was consistent for all subjects. Neurological history and examination methods were validated by neurologists and have been described in our previous publications (Brewer-Smyth et al, 2004;Brewer-Smyth et al, 2016).…”

“…Neurological histories were validated by neurological examinations for all subjects in this data set and data collection was consistent for all subjects. Neurological history and examination methods were validated by neurologists and have been described in our previous publications (Brewer-Smyth et al, 2004; Brewer-Smyth et al, 2016). The purpose was to obtain examination evidence of conditions that may be more prevalent in violent versus nonviolent females and evidence to support histories provided by each inmate, such as neurological deficits and cranial–facial scars or palpable areas of skull damage consistent with self-reports of traumatic injuries and other neurological histories.…”

“…Neurological conditions. Neurological conditions were found in 95% of a random sample of female prison inmates; traumatic brain injuries (TBI) were most prevalent (Brewer-Smyth, Burgess, & Shults, 2004;Brewer-Smyth, Pohlig, & Bucurescu, 2016). TBI prevalence in prisons is significantly higher than the general population (Farrer & Hedges, 2011).…”