Sertraline to reduce recidivism in impulsive violent offenders (ReINVEST): a randomised double blind clinical trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Biological studies suggest serotonin modulation via selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might reduce impulsive violence, however, robust evidence in offender populations is limited. We aimed to determine whether sertraline reduces violent reoffending compared with placebo in highly impulsive men with recurrent violent offending.

Methods

We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial in community settings in New South Wales, Australia. Eligible participants were men aged 18 years or older with ≥2 prior violent convictions and a Barratt Impulsiveness Scale score ≥70. Following a 4-week single-blind active run-in phase with sertraline, participants were randomly assigned (1:1, minimization stratified by key factors) to receive

SUBMITTER: Butler T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12702300 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature