Effects of nutritional supplements on aggression, rule-breaking, and psychopathology among young adult prisoners.
In an earlier study, improvement of dietary status with food supplements led to a reduction in antisocial behavior among prisoners. Based on these earlier findings, a study of the effects of food supplements on aggression, rule-breaking, and psychopathology was conducted among young Dutch prisoners. Two hundred and twenty-one young adult prisoners (mean age=21.0, range 18-25 years) received nutritional supplements containing vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids or placebos, over a period of 1-3 months. As in the earlier (British) study, reported incidents were significantly reduced (P=.017, one-tailed) in the active condition (n=115), as compared with placebo (n=106). Other assessments, however, revealed no significant reductions in aggressiveness or psychiatric symptoms. As the incidents reported concerned aggressive and rule-breaking behavior as observed by the prison staff, the results are considered to be promising. However, as no significant improvements were found in a number of other (self-reported) outcome measures, the results should be interpreted with caution.
Zaalberg
Ap
A
WODC, Ministry of Justice, The Hague, The Netherlands. a.zaalberg@minjus.nl
Nijman
Henk
H
Bulten
Erik
E
Stroosma
Luwe
L
van der Staak
Cees
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult