Murdered Native and Indigenous Women: A Comparison Study of Victim and Perpetrator Patterns and Characteristics.

INTRODUCTION: The rate of violent crimes against Indigenous people, including murder and rape, is significantly higher than national averages. Even more concerning, Indigenous women and girls represent a large proportion of murdered and missing individuals in the United States. In addition to the murder rate of Indigenous women being higher than the national average, they are significantly more likely to experience rape or other types of sexual violence. The main goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of cases involving the homicide of Indigenous women and identify patterns associated with the violence committed against them. METHODS: Cases of Indigenous women between the ages of 18 and 55 years were pulled from the database. Cases were coded and analyzed for information pertaining to victim, perpetrator, and crime characteristics. Descriptive analysis and test of association were performed. RESULTS/FINDINGS: There was a statistical association between the nature of the relationship between perpetrators and victims and whether the crime occurred on a reservation, the race/ethnicity of the perpetrator, a victim's history of domestic violence, and the method and motive of murder. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Indigenous women are at an increased risk of victimization, including intimate partner violence and homicide. They also represent a group that has been marginalized, receiving little attention from the media, clinicians, researchers, and policy makers. The findings in this study highlight specific factors that may help to mitigate risk factors and/or enhance culturally competent clinical and forensic nursing practice.

Psychiatric Deprescribing: A Narrative Review.

OBJECTIVE: Psychiatric deprescribing is an intervention where psychiatric medications are reduced or discontinued with the goal to improve health and reduce unnecessary risks. The purpose of this study was to synthesize the literature related to psychiatric deprescribing to discuss practice and research implications. METHODS: A structured search of the literature was conducted from May to September 2022, yielding 29 articles meeting inclusion criteria. Articles were reviewed and synthesized. RESULTS: Psychiatric deprescribing is a complex process with many potential facilitators and barriers. The extant literature provides insight into current gaps in knowledge and implications for clinical practice and research. CONCLUSIONS: In current clinical practice, psychiatric deprescribing is a priority but there are significant barriers. Several areas of future research could be pursued to better support evidence-based practice in this area.

Direct care staff perspectives related to physical activity in mental health group homes.

Sedentary lifestyle is a modifiable risk factor that contributes to health disparities in individuals with serious mental illness. Direct care staff in mental health group homes were surveyed to determine barriers and resource needs related to conducting physical activity interventions with individuals. An investigator-designed survey was used. The most significant barriers cited by staff were individuals did not want to engage in physical activity and staff needed more information about how to conduct physical activity interventions. Resource needs cited by staff included engagement strategies to gain and maintain individual interest as well as resource acquisition. Direct care staff are well positioned to deliver physical activity interventions but need support and direction to engage individuals in safe and effective exercise. Mental health nurses are well placed to provide support and direction to staff for these interventions.