Omega-3 Supplements to Reduce Antisocial Behaviour in Young Offenders

Singapore Prison Service181 enrolled

Overview

The study aims to examine the effects of providing omega-3 supplements on young offenders' antisocial behaviour. Participants will be randomized into three groups: (1) Omega-3, (2) Placebo and (3) Treatment as Usual. Self report and correctional officer ratings of behaviour will be assessed at 0 months (baseline), 3 months (end of supplementation), 6 months and 12 months. The investigators hypothesize that omega-3 supplementation will reduce antisocial behaviour among the young offenders.

This study follows up on two prior omega-3 supplementation Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) conducted on young offenders - one in the UK (Gesch et al. 2002) and the Netherlands (Zaalberg et al. 2009).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Enrollment

181

Conditions

Antisocial Behavior

Interventions

Omega-3COMBINATION_PRODUCT

1g of omega-3 supplement to be taken per day for a duration of 3 months in the form of a fruit juice drink

PlaceboCOMBINATION_PRODUCT

Fruit juice drink only

Treatment as UsualOTHER

Young Offenders Intervention Programme

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin age: 16 YearsMax age: 21 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Admission into young offender's institution Exclusion Criteria: * Allergy to fish and fish products * Serious mental illness and intellectual disability * Ability to read and write at the level required to complete self report questionnaires

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Antisocial Behaviour (Aggression) at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months

Proactive and Reactive Aggression Questionnaire (23 items). Scale of 0 (Never), 1 (Sometimes) and 2 (Often). Total range: 0 (min) to 46 (max). Higher scores indicate higher levels of aggression. 2 subscales: proactive aggression (range: 0 to 22) and reactive aggression (range: 0 to 22). Total and subscale scores computed by summing up the respective items.

Time frame: 0 Months (baseline), 3 Months, 6 Months, 12 Months

Change in Antisocial Behaviour (Conduct and Oppositional Defiance) at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months

Conduct and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Questionnaire (20 items). Scale of 0 (Never), 1 (Sometimes) and 2 (Often). Total range: 0 (min) to 40 (max). Higher scores indicate higher levels of Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder and antisocial behaviour. 2 subscales: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (range: 0 to 16),Conduct Disorder (range: 0 to 24). Total and subscale scores are computed by summing up the respective items.

Time frame: 0 Months (baseline), 3 Months, 6 Months, 12 Months

Secondary Outcomes

Schizotypal Personality

Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire - Brief. The questionnaire consist of 22 items, with participants providing responses in a binary (Yes / No) format. "Yes" is scored as a 1, while "No" is scored a 0, therefore the scale ranges from 0 (min) to 22 (max). Higher scores represent greater levels of schizotypal personality pattern. There are three subscales: interpersonal (range: 0 to 8), cognitive perceptual (range: 0 to 8) and disorganized (0 to 6). Both total and subscale scores are computed by summing up the respective items.

Time frame: 0 Months (baseline), 3 Months, 6 Months, 12 Months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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