Motivation for offending among prisoners and the relationship with Axis I and Axis II disorders and ADHD symptoms

The main aim of the study was to examine the relationship between motivation for offending, Clinical Syndromes and Personality Disorders (Axis I and Axis II disorders, respectively), and ADHD childhood and current symptoms. It was hypothesised that different types of motivation for the offence would be predicted by Axis I and Axis II disorders. The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III) and the Offending Motivation Questionnaire (OMQ) were completed by 196 prisoners. ADHD was screened by DSM-IV checklist of symptoms. Each type of motivation (i.e., financial, provocation, excitement and compliance) had a specific relationship with Clinical Syndromes and Personality Disorders as predicted. ADHD symptoms correlated significantly with the OMQ scores. Hierarchical multiple regressions (controlling for response style on the MCMI-III) showed that Personality Disorders did not predict motivation for offending beyond that of Axis I Clinical Syndromes and ADHD symptoms. Drug dependence and ADHD symptoms were the most powerful predictors of financial motivation, alcohol dependence of provocation, and anxiety of compliance motivation. The results underscore the importance of Clinical Syndromes, particularly drug and alcohol dependence, ADHD symptoms and anxiety, in predicting the motivation of offending among imprisoned offenders.