Psychological framework to understand interpersonal violence by forensic patients with psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Forensic patients with psychosis often engage in violent behaviour. There has been significant progress in understanding risk factors for violence, but identification of causal mechanisms of violence is limited. AIMS: To develop a testable psychological framework explaining violence in psychosis - grounded in patient experience - to guide targeted treatment development. METHOD: We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 patients with psychosis using forensic psychiatric services across three regions in England. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. People with lived experience contributed to the analysis. RESULTS: Analysis of interviews identified several psychological processes involved in the occurrence of violence. Violence was the dominant response mode to difficulties that was both habitual and underpinned by rules that engaged and justified an attack. Violence was triggered by a trio of sensitivities to other people: sensitivity to physical threat, from which violence protected; sensitivity to social disrespect, by which violence increased status; and sensitivity to unfairness, by which violence delivered revenge. Violence was an attempt to regulate difficult internal states: intense emotions were released through aggression and violence was an attempt to escape being overwhelmed by voices, visions or paranoia. There were different patterns of emphasis across these processes when explaining an individual participant's offending behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: The seven-factor model of violence derived from our analysis of patient accounts highlights multiple modifiable psychological processes that can plausibly lead to violence. The model can guide the research and development of targeted treatments to reduce violence by individuals with psychosis.

Liraglutide 3.0 mg once daily for the treatment of overweight and obesity in patients hospitalised at a forensic psychiatric department: A 26-week open-label feasibility study.

INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obesity constitute a major concern among patients treated at forensic psychiatric departments. The present clinical feasibility study aimed at investigating the extent to which glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) treatment with once-daily liraglutide 3.0 mg could be a feasible pharmacological treatment of these conditions in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders hospitalised in forensic psychiatry. METHODS: The 26-week, open-label feasibility study included participants aged 18-65 years diagnosed with a severe mental illness and hospitalised at a forensic psychiatric department. At the time of inclusion, all participants fulfilled the indication for using liraglutide as a treatment for overweight and obesity. Participants' baseline examinations were followed by a 26-week treatment period with liraglutide injection once daily according to a fixed uptitration schedule of liraglutide, with a target dose of 3.0 mg. Each participant attended seven visits to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events. The primary endpoint was the number of "completers", with adherence defined as >80% injections obtained in the period, weeks 12-26. Determining whether liraglutide is a feasible treatment was pre-defined to a minimum of 75% completers. RESULTS: Twenty-four participants were included in the study. Sex, male = 19 (79.2%). Mean age: 42.3 [25th and 75th percentiles: 39.1; 48.4] years; body mass index (BMI): 35.7 [31.7; 37.5] kg/m2; glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c): 37 [35; 39] mmol/mol. Eleven out of 24 participants (46%) completed the study. For the completers, the median net body weight loss after 26 weeks of participation was -11.4 kg [-15.4; -5.9]. The net difference in HbA1C and BMI was -2.0 mmol/mol [-4; -1] and -3.6 kg/m2 [-4.7; -1.8], respectively. The weight change and reduction in HbA1c and BMI were all statistically significant from baseline. CONCLUSION: The study did not confirm our hypothesis that liraglutide is a feasible treatment for a minimum of 75% of the patients initiating treatment with liraglutide while hospitalised in a forensic psychiatric department. The high dropout rate may be due to the non-naturalistic setting of the clinical trial. For the proportion of patients compliant with the medication, liraglutide 3.0 mg was an efficient treatment for overweight.

Hypothalamic subunit volumes and relations to violence and psychopathy in male offenders with or without a psychotic disorder.

The hypothalamus is key to body homeostasis, including regulating cortisol, testosterone, vasopressin, and oxytocin hormones, modulating aggressive behavior. Animal studies have linked the morphology and function of the hypothalamus to aggression and affiliation, with a subregional pattern reflecting the functional division between the hypothalamic nuclei. We explored the relationship between hypothalamic subunit volumes in violent offenders with (PSY-V) and without (NPV) a psychotic disorder, and the association with psychopathy traits. 3T MRI scans (n = 628, all male 18-70 years) were obtained from PSY-V, n = 38, NPV, n = 20, non-violent psychosis patients (PSY-NV), n = 134, and healthy controls (HC), n = 436. The total hypothalamus volume and its eleven nuclei were delineated into five subunits using Freesurfer v7.3. Psychopathy traits were assessed with Psychopathy Checklist-revised (PCL-R). ANCOVAs and linear regressions were used to analyze associations with subunit volumes. Both groups with a history of violence exhibited smaller anterior-superior subunit volumes than HC (NPV Cohen's d = 0.56, p = 0.01 and PSY-V d = 0.38, p = 0.01). There were no significant differences between HC and PSY-NV. PCL-R scores were positively associated with the inferior tubular subunit on a trend level (uncorrected p = 0.045, Cohen's d = 0.04). We found distinct hypothalamic subunit volume reductions in persons with a history of violence independent of concomitant psychotic disorder but not in persons with psychosis alone. The results provide further information about the involvement of the hypothalamus in aggression, which ultimately may lead to the development of targeted treatment for the clinical and societal challenge of aggression and violent behavior.

Toward an Integrated Sexual Policy in Forensic Psychiatry: A Mixed Method Pilot Study.

Forensic inpatients reside for long periods in restricted environments, which do not support the presence of sexual experiences or the expression of existing needs. However, sexuality and sexual health are important aspects in the overall recovery from mental illness. Given the lack of national policies, management decisions are bestowed upon individual institutions and staff members. This research aims to describe the current sexual policies in 32 forensic psychiatric wards in Flanders (the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium), varying from low to high security, and explore the perspective of forensic inpatients regarding such policies. The research questions were answered using a survey that questioned the different forensic units. Only 56% of the wards had a sexual policy at the hospital level. Results showed no significant differences in the applicable sexual policies between the security levels, but individual differences and inconsistencies exist in the rules and agreements applied among different wards. Subsequently, 15 semi-structured in-depth interviews with inpatients were conducted using a phenomenological approach. Most of the respondents were dissatisfied with their sexuality and experienced various barriers in meeting their sexual wants and needs. The results have an added value for clinical practice and lead to recommendations in the development of an integrated sexual policy.

Factors influencing the length of stay in forensic psychiatric settings: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Forensic psychiatry is often associated with long admissions and has a high cost of care. There is little known about factors influencing length of stay (LOS), and no previous systematic review has synthesised the available data. This paper aims to identify factors influencing the LOS in forensic psychiatry hospitals to inform care and interventions that may reduce the length of admissions. METHODOLOGY: A systematic review was conducted by searching major databases, including PubMed, EMBASE and PsycInfo, from inception until May 2022. Observational studies conducted in forensic hospitals that examined associations between variables of interest and LOS were included. Following data extraction, the Newcastle‒Ottawa Scale was used for quality appraisal. No meta-analysis was conducted due to heterogeneity of information; a quantitative measure to assess the strength of evidence was developed and reported. RESULTS: A total of 28 studies met the inclusion criteria out of 1606 citations. A detailed quantitative synthesis was performed using robust criteria. Having committed homicide/attempted homicide, a criminal legal status with restrictions, and a diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders were all associated with longer LOS. Higher Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores were associated with a shorter LOS. CONCLUSION: High-quality research examining factors associated with LOS in forensic psychiatry is lacking, and studies are heterogeneous. No modifiable characteristics were identified, and thus, practice recommendations were not made. There is an increasing necessity to understand the factors associated with longer admissions to inform care and increase success in reintegration and rehabilitation. This paper provides recommendations for future research.

Neuroethics and neurolaw in forensic neuropsychiatry: A guide for clinicians.

As neuroscience technologies develop, ethical and legal questions arise regarding their use and societal impact. Neuroethics and neurolaw are growing interdisciplinary fields that address these questions. This review article presents the research agenda of both areas, examines the use and admissibility of neuroscience in expert testimony and legal settings, and discusses ethical issues related to forensic neuropsychiatrists claiming expertise in neuroscience, formulating medical opinions based on neuroscience, and considering its relevance to criminal responsibility. Forensic neuropsychiatrists should be aware of emerging neuroscientific evidence, its utility and limits in rendering diagnoses and explaining behavior, and, before seeking such evidence for legal purposes, its availability and admissibility. When testifying in matters involving neuroscientific evidence, ensuring truthfulness and balance, having sufficient and validated knowledge (including openness with confirming and disconfirming evidence), understanding standards of practice, and drawing relevant and appropriate conclusions remain important.

Staff experiences with videoconferences during the COVID-19 pandemic in forensic psychiatry outpatients.

AIM: To describe staff experiences with the use of videoconferences with forensic psychiatric outpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews with staff at forensic community services in the Region of Southern Denmark. RESULTS: Nine semi-structured staff interviews were conducted. Two main themes were identified through thematic analysis: Challenges due to technical uncertainty and the Use of videoconferences as support in clinical assessment and treatment. The second main theme also included a number of subthemes: Lack of opportunity for observation of a patient's overall situation; Compromise of nurses' professionalism; Limitation of disturbing stimuli means more focus on the conversation; Telephone contact vs. video contact-pros and cons; Expectations reflect attitudes; and Will professionalism be changed based on organizational and political perspectives? CONCLUSION: Staff opinions on use of videoconferences in psychiatric patients differed. The nurses in particular were concerned about whether professionalism could be maintained. Others experienced patients focusing more on the conversation when it took place via video because there were fewer disturbing elements. In general, expectations seem to influence attitudes toward using videoconferences.

I'm Great! I'm no good .: A case illustration of drama therapeutic work with a male offender of domestic violence in a forensic outpatient setting.

Treating perpetrators of aggressive behavior, like verbal aggression, intimidation, and bullying behavior resulting in aggressive incidents with others, is difficult. This group is often diagnosed with personality disorders and when legal measures applied, they are more often treated in a forensic setting for their problems. This article presents the case of a 54-year-old man, diagnosed with Borderline personality disorder, narcissistic and antisocial traits, mild depressive symptoms, and loss and grief, who has voluntarily had treatment in a forensic outpatient center to reduce aggression and change destructive patterns in relationships. Hating, judging, and self-defeating were the main reasons why the patient found himself ending up in the same situation repeatedly. The client received individual drama therapy sessions. The drama therapeutic approach included schema therapeutic elements, such as schema mode work with cards, as well as roleplay, imagery (with rescripting), improvisation, and psycho drama elements. As a result of drama therapy, the client reported less (active) aggression, less aggression in his relationships (partners/children/friends), but also an increased level of loneliness, and mild depressive symptoms. The client was more in touch with his vulnerability and was able to behave in a more adequate healthy way in relationships. Although self-esteem was still building up, there was a decrease of aggression and less conflict-seeking behavior as a result. Risk assessment tools (FARE-2 & HONOS) and Schema therapy scales (YSQ and SMI) were used pre- and posttreatment confirming the improvements. This case promotes the use of dramatherapy in forensic outpatient care to be valuable in lowering risk recidivism and changing deeply rooted behavioral patterns.

A comparison of patient ratings and staff ratings of disability using the World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule in individuals with psychotic spectrum disorders who are forensic psychiatric inpatients.

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial rehabilitation in forensic psychiatric services requires sound measurement of patient and staff perceptions of psychosocial function. The recommended World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS), designed for this, has not been examined with offender patients. AIMS: To examine patient and staff WHODAS ratings of secure hospital inpatients with psychosis, any differences between them and explore associations with other clinical factors. METHODS: Seventy-three patients self-rated on the WHODAS after 3 months as inpatients. An occupational therapist interviewed the patient's primary nurse and care team at about the same time (staff ratings). Scores were calculated according to the WHODAS manual. WHODAS scores and interview-rated symptom severity, cognitive measures, daily antipsychotic dose and duration of care were compared. RESULTS: Patient ratings indicated less disability than staff ratings for total score and for the domains of understanding and communicating, getting along and life activities. Self-care and participation ratings were similar. Patients were more likely to rate themselves as disabled in getting around (mobility). Only one-fifth of patient- and staff- ratings (16, 22%) were similar, while for nearly a third of the patients (23, 32%) self-ratings were higher than staff ratings. More severe positive symptoms were associated with higher self-rated WHODAS disability after accounting for treatment duration, negative symptoms, cognitive score and antipsychotic dose. No variable accounted for the staff/patient differences in ratings. CONCLUSION: Our mean WHODAS score findings echoed those in other patient samples-of patient underestimation of disability, linked to severity of symptoms. In this study using the WHODAS for the first time in a forensic mental health secure inpatient service, however, we found that, by comparing individuals, half of the patients reported equivalent or greater disability than did staff. Future research should focus on elucidating from patients what contributes to their self-ratings. Understanding their thought processes in rating may enhance rehabilitation planning.

[The situation in the German forensic commitment-Results of a survey by the DGPPN]. / Die Situation des deutschen Maßregelvollzugs ­ Ergebnisse einer Umfrage der DGPPN.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In German forensic psychiatry detention under Sections 63 and 64 of the German Penal Code have been repeatedly reformed over the past years; however, despite the most recent amendments to the law on detention, clinics and state authorities warn of insufficient capacities and worrying conditions. Media reports paint a defiant picture. At the same time, there is a lack of valid data that would allow an objective description of the situation in forensic psychiatry. Against this background the management of institutions in Germany has been surveyed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The survey was conducted as an online survey and sent to all 78 forensic hospitals in Germany. The survey covered topics such as structural data of the facilities, the occupancy and staffing situation, incidents, support from supervisory authorities and funding agencies, and patient characteristics. The results are presented descriptively. RESULTS: Of the 78 facilities contacted, 45 (approximately 60%) participated at least partially in the survey. Many of the clinics (68.5%) complained of significant overcrowding. A clear lack of staff and rooms was reported, at the same time it was stated that patients do not receive adequate treatment. Approximately 1 in 5 patients have a length of stay for more than 10 years and one third of the clinics reported an increasing number of physical assaults by patients. CONCLUSION: This overview shows that the forensic psychiatric hospitals are in very different but generally strained situations. A significant number of clinics are under great pressure. Financial, structural, spatial and personnel resources were described as insufficient to properly and professionally fulfill the legal mandate. The treatment standards presented by the DGPPN in 2017 are not met in many clinics.

[Genetic studies on forensic-psychiatric inpatients? : Clinical, ethical and legal considerations]. / Genetische Studien an forensisch Untergebrachten? : Klinische, ethische und juristische Überlegungen.

BACKGROUND: Research on people deprived of liberty raises serious questions, especially concerning behavioral genetic studies. QUESTION: Does including criminally detained patients with mental disorders in genetic studies lead to a gain of new knowledge and can this be ethically and legally justified? METHOD: Evaluation of existing literature and interdisciplinary reflection. RESULTS: After a review of research ethics and legal norms, we consider the benefits and risks of behavioral genetic research, taking the unique situation of test persons deprived of their liberty into account. The fundamental right to freedom of research also justifies foundational research in forensic psychiatry and psychotherapy. The possible future benefits of improving treatment plans must be weighed against the risks resulting from potential data leaks and inappropriate public reception of research results. Then we analyze possible threats to voluntary and informed consent to study participation in more detail by the ethical concept of vulnerability. Alongside problems with grasping complex issues, above all dependencies and power dynamics in the correctional system play a pivotal role. Recommendations on the ethical and legal inclusion of this study population are given. CONCLUSION: Including criminally detained study participants can be ethically and legally justified when autonomous consent is supported by specific organizational and legal procedures and measures, for example via a clear professional and organizational separation of correction and research.

Gender dysphoria: Reconsidering ethical and iatrogenic factors in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the treatment of gender dysphoria described in Bell v Tavistock (UK 2020). Bell documents the treatment and sequelae of a 16-year-old adolescent referred to the Tavistock with gender dysphoria. Her case highlights contrasts between gender affirming care and comprehensive care. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with other western centres, in the 2010s, the Tavistock began treating patients with gender dysphoria under the 'Dutch protocol' for gender affirming care. Bell reveals concerning lapses of clinical governance influenced by activists and linked to patient harm. The recent suspension of a senior child psychiatrist from an Australian public hospital service after questioning the evidence base and ethical foundation of gender affirming care underlines the need to resolve these uncertainties to address the crisis in the treatment of gender dysphoria.

Is mental health staff training in de-escalation techniques effective in reducing violent incidents in forensic psychiatric settings? - A systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Inpatient violence is a relevant issue in forensic psychiatric settings. Relevant guidelines recommend that restrictive measures are to be used exclusively if de-escalation and other preventive strategies have failed and there is a risk of harm to patients or staff if no action is taken. However, restrictive measures are untherapeutic and can be harmful. In order to enable staff to intervene before inpatient violence or other serious incidents occur and thus to avoid restrictive measures, mental health staff training programs including de-escalation components are being adopted in general as well as forensic mental health settings. There is growing evidence for the efficacy of mental health staff training in de-escalation techniques in the field of general psychiatry. However, there are no reviews evaluating the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing violent incidents in forensic psychiatric settings. Here we present the first literature review on the effectiveness staff training in de-escalation techniques in the field of forensic psychiatry. METHOD: We searched relevant databases for original research on the effectiveness of reducing violence in forensic psychiatric settings. Studies were included if they investigated staff training programs with de-escalation techniques in forensic mental health settings. RESULTS: A total of 5 relevant studies were identified. None of the studies was a randomized controlled trial. Four studies were before and after comparisons without control group. A one group post-test-only design was used in one study. Methodological quality was low. The maximum sample size was 112 participants. Results indicated no relevant impact of mental health staff training in de-escalation techniques on the rate of violent incidents in forensic psychiatric wards. However, staff seemed to feel safer following the training. Results have to be interpreted cautiously due to several methodological and content-related limitations. DISCUSSION: Evidence for the effectiveness of staff training in de-escalation techniques on reducing verbal and physical aggression in forensic settings remains very limited. The existing definitions of terms like de-escalation, de-escalation training and de-escalation techniques in the healthcare context appear rather vague. Although some positive changes are reported across a variety of outcome measures it remains unclear to what extent staff training in de-esclation techniques contributes to a reduction in aggressive incidents and restrictive measures in forensic psychiatry. The clinical implications of this review are therefore limited. Yet, an important implication for future research is that a more comprehensive approach might prove worthwhile. Conducting a further review integrating a wide range of complex interventions aimed at the reduction of inpatient violence rather than focusing on de-escalation only, might be a worthwhile approach.

Exploring the psychometric properties of the externalizing spectrum inventory-brief form in a Swedish forensic psychiatric inpatient sample.

BACKGROUND: The Externalizing Spectrum Inventory-Brief Form (ESI-BF) [1] is a 160-item self-report instrument designed for the assessment of externalizing psychopathology, yet few studies to date have evaluated its psychometric properties, structural fit, and criterion validity in forensic psychiatric settings. METHODS: Here, we investigated these aspects in a sample of forensic psychiatric inpatients (n = 77) from a maximum-security forensic psychiatric hospital in Sweden. We firstly investigated the reliability. Secondly, using confirmatory factor analysis, the structure of the ESI-BF. And thirdly, using a Bayesian approach, assessed how the three ESI-BF subfactors relate to criterion measures of antisocial behaviors, substance use, and lifetime externalizing spectrum diagnoses. RESULTS: The ESI-BF demonstrated good to adequate reliability and internal consistency, with all but four facet scales exhibiting α and ω values ≥ 0.80. Average inter-item correlations for the facet scales ranged from 0.31 to 0.74. However, all structural models exhibited poor to mediocre fit, with model fit values for the CFI being 0.66, 0.79 and 0.87 and RMSEA values of 0.14, 0.12 and 0.09. for the unidimensional correlated factors and bifactor model, respectively. Regarding criterion validity, all subscales of the item-based ESI-BF three-factor model exhibited robust correlations with the Life History of Aggression total, aggression and antisocial/consequences subscales, with correlations ranging from 0.29 to 0.55. All ESI-BF subfactors demonstrated robust associations, yet with different externalizing outcomes, lending tentative support to its criterion validity. CONCLUSION: Despite remaining ambiguities regarding its structural fit, the ESI-BF may be promising for assessing externalizing psychopathology in forensic psychiatric populations. However, further investigation of the ESI-BF is needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn about its appropriateness in forensic psychiatric settings.

Adverse childhood experiences as a risk factor for non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempts in forensic psychiatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACE) have been found to have profound negative consequences on an individuals' health. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a clinically complex and serious global health issue and is closely related to suicide attempts. Previous research has found associations between ACE and NSSI and suicide attempts in clinical samples. However, this association has to our knowledge not been studied to this extent in a sample of forensic psychiatric patients. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and their associations with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and/or suicide attempts in forensic psychiatric patients. METHODS: The current study is a cross-sectional study of a consecutive cohort of 98 forensic psychiatric patients (86.7% male) in Sweden. We invited 184 patients with a predicted stay of > 8 weeks who had been cleared for participation by their treating psychiatrist. Of these, 83 declined and 98 eligible patients provided informed consent. Information on ACE, NSSI, and suicide attempts derived from files, self-reports (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form; CTQ-SF), and interviews were compared separately among participants with and without NSSI or suicide attempts using t-tests. The dose-response association between ACE and NSSI/suicide attempts was analysed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: In file reviews, 57.2% of participants reported physical abuse, 20% sexual abuse, and 43% repeated bullying by peers during childhood. NSSI and suicide attempts were associated significantly with CTQ-SF total scores, with medium effect sizes (d = .60 to .63, p < .01), and strongly with several CTQ-SF subscales. Parental substance abuse was also associated with NSSI (p = .006, OR = 3.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36 to 7.66) and suicide attempts (p = .018, OR = 2.75; 95% CI = 1.18 to 6.42). Each additional ACE factor predicted an increased probability of NSSI (p = .016, OR = 1.29; CI = 1.04 to 1.59) but not of suicide attempts. When anxiety and depressive disorders were included in the model, ACE remained a significant predictor of NSSI. CONCLUSIONS: We report extensive ACE, from both files and self-reports. When comparing groups, correlations were found between ACE and NSSI, and ACE and suicide attempts among forensic psychiatric patients. ACE seem to predict NSSI but not suicide attempts in this group, even when controlling for affective and anxiety disorders. Early ACE among forensic psychiatric patients, especially physical and emotional abuse and parental substance abuse, have important impacts on self-harming behaviours that must be acknowledged both by the institutions that meet them as children and in their later assessment and treatment.

What happens after forensic psychiatric care? A latent class analysis of dimensions of welfare for former forensic psychiatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Mentally disordered offenders are a heterogenous group regarding psychopathology as well as background factors, which makes it likely that more than one stereotypical life situation will apply to all forensic psychiatric patients following discharge. Knowledge about typical life situations would be valuable for optimising support for improving the overall life situation of these individuals. This paper investigates life situations from the perspective of level of living research and resources in terms of different welfare dimensions. METHODS: Included were all all individuals (n = 1146) who had been discharged from forensic psychiatric care in Sweden during 2009-2018 and were included in the Swedish National Forensic Psychiatric Register. Follow-up time varied from 4 to 3644 days, (m = 1697, Md = 1685). Register data from several different registers was combined. Data was analysed using latent class analysis, and multinominal logistic regression analysis investigated what background factors were associated with class membership. RESULTS: The results show that there are four subgroups of post-discharge life situations: the high support group, the general psychiatric needs group, the working group, and the family group. The high support group was the largest, representing 54% of the entire sample. There are background factors associated with group membership, including both age at discharge, length of stay in forensic psychiatric care and pre-index crime historical factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the understanding of the post-discharge lives of former forensic psychiatric patients and shows that for several subgroups, negative outcomes are rare. Knowledge about these subgroups could be drawn upon to make informed decisions about in- and outpatient forensic psychiatric care, discharge from forensic psychiatric services, and what support is offered to former forensic psychiatric patients.

Needs of forensic psychiatric patients with schizophrenia in five European countries.

AIMS: The purpose was to compare the frequency of needs of patients with schizophrenia in forensic services across five European countries as assessed by both the patients and their care staff. METHODS: Patients with schizophrenia and a history of significant interpersonal violence were recruited from forensic psychiatric services in Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland and England. Participants' needs were assessed using the Camberwell Assessment of Needs-Forensic Version (CANFOR). Multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify predictors of numbers of needs. RESULTS: In this sample, (n = 221) the most commonly reported need according to patients (71.0%) and staff (82.8%) was the management of psychotic symptoms. A need for information was mentioned by about 45% of staff and patients. Staff members reported a significantly higher number of total needs than patients (mean 6.9 vs. 6.2). In contrast, staff members reported a significantly lower number of unmet needs than patients (mean 2.0 vs. 2.5). Numbers of total needs and met needs differed between countries. Unmet needs as reported by patients showed positive associations with the absence of comorbid personality disorder, with higher positive symptom scores and lifetime suicide or self-harm history. Significant predictors of unmet needs according to staff were absence of comorbid personality disorder and higher positive as well as negative symptom scores according to PANSS. CONCLUSIONS: Staff rated a significantly higher number of total needs than patients, while patients rated more unmet needs. This indicates that patients' self-assessments of needs yield important information for providing sufficient help and support.

Characteristics of young people accessing recently implemented Community Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (F:CAMHS) in England: insights from national service activity data.

Children and young people in contact with forensic child and adolescent mental health services present with more complex needs than young people in the general population. Recent policy in child and adolescent mental health has led to the implementation of new workstreams and programmes to improve service provision. This research examines the characteristics of children and young people referred to recently commissioned Community Forensic Child and Adolescent Services (F:CAMHS) and service activity during the first 24 months of service. The study is a national cohort study to describe the population and investigate service provision and access across England. Secondary data on 1311 advice cases and 1406 referrals are included in analysis. Findings show that 71.9% of the sample had accessed mainstream CAMHS before their referral, 50.9% had experienced/witnessed multiple traumatic events and 58.4% of young people presented with multiple difficulties. The results of the study highlight the complexity of the cohort and a need for interagency trauma-informed working. This is the first study to describe the characteristics of children and young people referred to Community F:CAMHS and provides valuable information on pathways and needs to inform service policy and provision.

Psychopathy subdomains in violent offenders with and without a psychotic disorder.

BACKGROUND: Violence in psychosis has been linked to antisocial behavior and psychopathy traits. Psychopathy comprises aspects of interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, and antisocial traits which may be differently involved in violent offending by persons with psychotic disorders. We explored psychopathy subdomains among violent offenders with and without a psychotic disorder. METHODS: 46 males, with a history of severe violence, with (n = 26; age 35.85 ± 10.34 years) or without (n = 20; age 39.10 ± 11.63 years) a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, were assessed with the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). PCL-R was split into subdomains following the four-facet model. Group differences in total and subdomain scores were analyzed with a general linear model with covariates. RESULTS: Total PCL-R scores did not differ between the groups (p = 0.61, Cohen's d = 0.17). The violent offenders without psychotic disorders had higher facet 2 scores than the patient group with psychotic disorders (p = 0.029, Cohen's d = 0.77). Facet 1, 3, or 4 scores did not differ between the groups. Controlling for age did not alter the results. CONCLUSION: Patients with a psychotic disorder and a history of severe violence have lower affective psychopathy scores than violent offenders without psychotic disorders. This observation may point toward distinct underlying mechanisms for violence and may provide a target for focused treatment and prevention.

Integrating static and modifiable risk factors in violence risk assessment for forensic psychiatric patients: a feasibility study of FoVOx.

INTRODUCTION: Risk assessment is integral to forensic psychiatry. Previous work has highlighted the benefits of using scalable and evidence-based actuarial risk tools developed within forensic populations, such as the online Forensic Psychiatry and Violence Oxford (FoVOx) violence risk assessment tool. We examined the feasibility of using FoVOx in a Swedish forensic cohort and tested whether adding modifiable (dynamic) factors would increase its useability to clinicians. METHODS: We completed FoVOx assessments on all patients discharged from forensic psychiatric hospitals in Stockholm County, Sweden, between 2012 and 2017 and investigated recidivism rates. In addition, interviews were conducted with the clinicians responsible for each patient on the perceived accuracy, usefulness, and impact of FoVOx, which was examined using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-five discharges from forensic psychiatric hospitals were followed up. The median FoVOx score was a 7% likelihood of violent reoffending in two years after discharge. Six discharged patients (6%) were confirmed as violent recidivists using official records with a similar distribution of FoVOx risk categories as the rest of the sample. FoVOx was considered accurate by clinicians in more than half of cases, who suggested that modifiable risk factors could be added to increase acceptability. All clinicians thought that FoVOx was useful, and in 20% of discharges, it would have materially altered patient care. Overall, FoVOx was thought to impact decision-making and risk management, was practical to use, and could be completed without reference to written case material. CONCLUSION: Completing FoVOx in forensic psychiatric hospitals can complement current approaches to clinical decision-making on violence risk assessment and management.