Systematic Aggression Registration in Forensic Psychiatric Care: A Qualitative Study on Preconditions for Successful Implementation

Available research emphasizes the importance of getting a systematic overview of inpatient aggression in forensic psychiatric care. However, the same research does not focus on how systematic aggression registration should be introduced in clinical practice. To facilitate the use of systematic aggression registration instruments, it is very relevant to gain insight into the perspective of staff members on the introduction of these instruments in daily clinical practice. Additionally, preconditions for achieving a successful implementation can be considered. Therefore, this study aims to gain insight into the perspective of the staff members on the implementation of a systematic aggression registration instrument-that is, the MOAS-in a forensic psychiatric unit. Interviews (n = 8) and a focus group with staff members were carried out. Three main themes: (1) creating the most appropriate context for introduction, (2) choice for the MOAS as relevant instrument, and (3) perpetuating the use of the MOAS in clinical practice are scrutinized. The mentioned preconditions can be used as guidelines when implementing systematic aggression registration in clinical practice. We hope that this paper can inspire other forensic psychiatric facilities to introduce systematic registration of aggressive incidents.

Tilting at Windmills - A Qualitative Study about Family Caregiver Interactions and Perceptions in Forensic Mental Health Care

In forensic mental health care (FMHC), family caregivers perceive themselves as burdened in their relationships with the service user (the family member with mental illness) and by difficult collaboration with healthcare professionals (HCPs). There is a political objective to involve this group in the care and treatment of the service user in mental health care. To improve family caregiver involvement in care and treatment in FMHC, research about their perceptions is needed. This study aims to explore family caregivers' perceptions of their interactions with the service user and HCPs. The method used was qualitative. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 12 family caregiver participants were carried out and analyzed thematically. The analysis resulted in three interrelated main themes: Strategies to normalize everyday living; Distrust of the quality of care; and Loss and grief. Family caregiver feelings of loss and grief may be suppressed, which additionally could prevent them from supporting the service user.

Formerly Detained Adolescents' Narratives: On the Interplay between Quality of Life and Desistance

In recent years, a growing trend to consider strengths and protective factors in studies on desistance from crime has emerged. The present study explores three formerly detained adolescents' narratives, aiming to tease out how Quality of Life (QoL) and desistance interact in pathways towards a "better life." The narratives suggest that the journey towards a better life is highly individual, and may unfold via multiple pathways characterized by an ambivalent relationship between QoL and desistance. Alongside the importance of individual aspects and social support, societal barriers and opportunities play a significant role in creating new chances to re-build a life and prosocial identities. This reflects earlier findings that desistance is not an individual responsibility. It is essential to support young people to overcome societal barriers that impede participation in society and living a good life. This research adds to growing evidence of strengths-based approaches to rehabilitation, such as the Good Lives Model (GLM).

Experiences of family caregivers in forensic mental health care-A qualitative evidence synthesis

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT

Internationally, research and policy agendas recommend that family caregivers of service users in mental health care be involved in care and treatment, to support the service user's recovery process. Family caregivers of service users in mental health care are often highly burdened. There is a lack of research-based knowledge about the experiences of family caregivers of service users in forensic mental health care (FMHC) and their involvement in care and treatment.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE

This study indicates a persistent caregiver presence and/or caregiver advocacy in regard to care and treatment of the service user in FMHC. This study indicates that health care professionals (HCPs) might play a role in eliciting a persistent caregiver presence and/or caregiver advocacy.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

HCPs need to develop their collaborative skills and be more willing to listen to and understand caregivers' persistent presence and/or advocacy. HCPs need to be more skilled to understand caregivers' and families' living with the complexities of mental illness and offence. HCPs are encouraged to adjust the involvement of family caregivers in care and treatment to FMHC.

ABSTRACT

Introduction There is a lack of research about experiences of family caregivers of service users in forensic mental health care (FMHC) and their involvement in care and treatment. Research shows that caregivers are burdened. Further knowledge is required, to provide a foundation for improving clinical practice. Aim To review research literature, to investigate existing knowledge about caregiver experiences and, secondly, caregivers' experiences of facilitators and barriers related to their involvement in care and treatment. Method Qualitative evidence synthesis undertaken in a thematic synthesis of thirteen peer-reviewed studies. Results The analysis identified three descriptive themes: violence against family; a great burden of responsibility; and difficult collaboration, together with an additional three analytical themes: bearing witness; persistent presence; and advocacy becomes necessary. Discussion Persistent caregiver presence and/or caregiver advocacy may be elicited by health care professionals' (HCPs') exclusion of caregivers from care and treatment. Caregivers' feelings of guilt in relation to the service user's offence may play an additional role in persistent presence and advocacy and, therefore, in HCPs' exclusion of them. Implications for Practice HCPs need to develop their collaboration with caregivers by their willingness to listen to caregivers to understand emotional complexities within families experiencing mental illness and offence.

"It's still our child". A qualitative interview study with parent carers in forensic mental health

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of parents in forensic mental health services with regard to their cooperation with healthcare professionals and their role as parent carers. 15 participants were interviewed using qualitative, in-depth interviews and transcripts were analysed thematically. The identified themes were 'Medical dominance', 'Interactions with healthcare professionals', and 'Advocating for their daughter/son'. The themes were associated with the overall theme 'perceived impact on the parents' everyday lives'. The results suggest that parent carers perceive a malalignment between the institutional medicalised treatment focus and the need for an integrated holistic approach, which would include them as partners.

Family involvement in forensic psychiatric care: a professionals’ perspective

Introduction

Research shows that family members of forensic patients often have the feeling not to be sufficiently involved in the treatment and care trajectories of their relative. Also professionals indicate to encounter several barriers to involve family members, including lack of time and skills, organizational barriers and meddling family members.

Objectives

This study aimed to map professionals’ reflections on family involvement in forensic psychiatric care. The research questions related to how professionals experience family involvement in forensic care and what needs to change in the future? A specific focus is placed on changes in their perspective over time.

Methods

Findings of focus groups administered in 2015 with professionals working in forensic psychiatric care were supplemented with interview data collected in 2021.

Results

The results show that there are several differences in how professionals experience and look at family involvement in forensic psychiatric care. Where in 2015 the question often was raised about what can be done as a professional for family members, professionals now more refer to the added value of family involvement for both the forensic patient and his/her care trajectory.

Conclusions

The past six years, there seemed to be an evolution in how professionals experience the involvement of family members in forensic psychiatric care, that is increasingly perceived as valuable. Yet, the professionals indicated that challenges remain regarding professional confidentiality and shared decision making.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Voices to be heard: Understanding family perspectives in forensic care trajectories

INTRODUCTION

De-institutionalization of psychiatric care has greatly increased the role of family members in the recovery pathways of Persons labeled as Not Criminally Responsible (PNCR). However, the role of family members in supporting PNCR in forensic psychiatric care remains understudied. Scarce evidence indicates that PNCR have to deal with stigma and endure specific burdens (i.e., symptom-specific, financial, social, and emotional). Recovery-focused research showed that recovery in both persons with a severe mental illness and family members develop in parallel with each other and are characterized by similar helpful principles (e.g., hope and coping skills). As such, the recovery pathways of PNCR often goes hand in hand with the recovery pathway of their family members. During the family recovery process, family members often experience not being listened to or being empowered by professionals or not being involved in the decision-making process in the care trajectory of their relative. Therefore, the aim of this study is to capture how family members experience the care trajectories of their relatives, more specifically by looking at family recovery aspects and personal advocacy of family members.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 family members of PNCR from 14 families. A thematic analysis confirms that family members suffer from stigma and worry significantly about the future of their relative.

RESULTS

Regarding the care trajectory of PNCR, family members experienced barriers in multiple domains while trying to support their relative: involvement in care and information sharing, visiting procedures, transitions between wards, and the psychiatric and judicial reporting by professionals. In addition, family members emphasized the importance of (social) support for themselves during the forensic psychiatric care trajectories and of a shared partnership.

DISCUSSION

These findings tie in with procedural justice theory as a precondition for family support and family recovery within forensic psychiatric care.

Family Support Groups for Family Members of Mentally Ill Offenders: Family Expectations and Experiences

Family Support Groups (FSGs) are developed for family members of mentally ill offenders. This study investigates family treatment expectations and experiences of an FSG. Family members were interviewed before ( n = 20) and after ( n = 17) attending an FSG. Results show that family members hesitated or were curious about the FSG, expected to receive peer support and universality of problems, to receive information and advice and thought about the safety and respect of the group. Family members experienced the treatment as helpful because it was supportive, they gained new insights and they felt relieved and satisfied. Many family members see the guidance of the therapists and the differences in family and gender roles as an added value of attending an FSG. However, considering the limitations of the study, future studies should gain insight in and stress the importance of the meaning of therapeutic processes for family members confronted with different psychiatric disorders and/or situations.

How family members of mentally ill offenders experience the internment measure and (forensic) psychiatric treatment in Belgium: A qualitative study

Mentally ill offenders in Belgium can be subjected to mandated care under an "internment measure" if they are viewed as a danger to society. This study investigated how family members of mentally ill offenders experience this internment measure and view the (forensic) psychiatric treatment of their relative. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 relatives and analysed using Nvivo 11. Six different themes emerged: (1) the criminal offence and the internment measure as an additional stigma, (2) ambivalent feelings towards the judicial system, (3) prison is not the right place to be, (4) mental health support as an answer to problems, (5) fight a losing battle, and (6) while there is life there is hope. The experiences of family members indicate the need for improved treatment guidelines that allow earlier compulsory interventions to prevent crime and preferential admission to (forensic) psychiatric facilities rather than prisons. In addition, family members expressed the need for better communication from mental health professionals and the judicial system during the process and greater availability of peer support.