Research on Social Work Practice, 21(3), May 2011, pp.289-297.
Publisher:
Sage
Black men in the United States are disproportionately exposed to adverse social and economic factors that may be linked to psychological distress, of which depression is one of the most common manifestations. This article aims to present estimates of the prevalence, comorbidity, and course of depression among a national sample of urban Black fathers. The analysis uses data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), a longitudinal study which followed a birth cohort of children born to unmarried and married parents. This study used the subset of the FFCWS for Black fathers. Prevalence of depression was estimated at the 1, 3 and 5-year interviews. Comorbidity with anxiety, substance dependence and bad health was estimated at the 3-year interview only. The results show
Black men in the United States are disproportionately exposed to adverse social and economic factors that may be linked to psychological distress, of which depression is one of the most common manifestations. This article aims to present estimates of the prevalence, comorbidity, and course of depression among a national sample of urban Black fathers. The analysis uses data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), a longitudinal study which followed a birth cohort of children born to unmarried and married parents. This study used the subset of the FFCWS for Black fathers. Prevalence of depression was estimated at the 1, 3 and 5-year interviews. Comorbidity with anxiety, substance dependence and bad health was estimated at the 3-year interview only. The results show that the prevalence of 12-month major depressive episode (12%) is 1.5x higher among Black fathers than among men in the general population. Anxiety, substance dependence, and bad health are disproportionately concentrated in Black fathers with depression. The proportion of depression-free Black fathers and the proportion of Black fathers who recover from depression both decreased over the 4-year period.
Subject terms:
men, longitudinal studies, mental health problems, black and minority ethnic people, depression, fathers, comorbidity;
British Journal of Forensic Practice, 12(3), August 2010, pp.37-44.
Publisher:
Emerald
Medium secure units were designed to treat patients for up to three years, but some patients spend longer in acute medium secure settings. The aim of this investigation was to assess and describe the needs of these patients. The research reviewed male patients who had been admitted at least five years previously to the Three Bridges Medium Secure Unit in West London. A survey questionnaire covering demographic information, mental health diagnosis, physical health, treatment and engagement was sent to responsible clinicians. To complement the survey questionnaire, carer ratings using the Camberwell Assessment of Need: forensic version (CAN-FOR) were completed by the primary nurse for each patient. Of 122 medium secure male patients, 25 (21%) had been admitted at least five years before. The results found high levels of co-morbidity and treatment resistance. The CAN-FOR revealed two groups, one with chronic challenging behaviour, treatment-resistant mental illness and need for a high level of support, and another more able group not needing as much support but with a dependency on the hospital. The article concludes that these men have different needs from those who progress at a faster rate through medium security, and suggests that services should be tailored to meet these needs.
Medium secure units were designed to treat patients for up to three years, but some patients spend longer in acute medium secure settings. The aim of this investigation was to assess and describe the needs of these patients. The research reviewed male patients who had been admitted at least five years previously to the Three Bridges Medium Secure Unit in West London. A survey questionnaire covering demographic information, mental health diagnosis, physical health, treatment and engagement was sent to responsible clinicians. To complement the survey questionnaire, carer ratings using the Camberwell Assessment of Need: forensic version (CAN-FOR) were completed by the primary nurse for each patient. Of 122 medium secure male patients, 25 (21%) had been admitted at least five years before. The results found high levels of co-morbidity and treatment resistance. The CAN-FOR revealed two groups, one with chronic challenging behaviour, treatment-resistant mental illness and need for a high level of support, and another more able group not needing as much support but with a dependency on the hospital. The article concludes that these men have different needs from those who progress at a faster rate through medium security, and suggests that services should be tailored to meet these needs.
Subject terms:
medium secure units, men, long term treatment, mentally disordered offenders, needs, comorbidity;
Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 2(3/4), 2005, pp.1-17.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
In this American study self-reports of previous diagnoses of depression (24.8%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, 19.5%), and/or a substance use disorder (30.6%) were obtained in 159 male youth offenders, aged 13 to 18 years. The correlates of individual as well as co-morbid mental health diagnoses were investigated. As predicted, male youth offenders self-reporting any of these disorders had more negative self-concepts than male youth offenders not self-reporting any of these disorders. Youth indicating an ADHD diagnosis were significantly more hopeless than youth without an ADHD diagnosis. Youth offenders reporting any two of the psychological disorders were more likely to have negative self-concepts, and increased hopelessness, and symptomology on intake than youth reporting no or one disorder. The treatment implications of these findings for adolescents in alternative sentencing programs in the juvenile justice system were then explored. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
In this American study self-reports of previous diagnoses of depression (24.8%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, 19.5%), and/or a substance use disorder (30.6%) were obtained in 159 male youth offenders, aged 13 to 18 years. The correlates of individual as well as co-morbid mental health diagnoses were investigated. As predicted, male youth offenders self-reporting any of these disorders had more negative self-concepts than male youth offenders not self-reporting any of these disorders. Youth indicating an ADHD diagnosis were significantly more hopeless than youth without an ADHD diagnosis. Youth offenders reporting any two of the psychological disorders were more likely to have negative self-concepts, and increased hopelessness, and symptomology on intake than youth reporting no or one disorder. The treatment implications of these findings for adolescents in alternative sentencing programs in the juvenile justice system were then explored. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Subject terms:
men, substance misuse, young offenders, ADHD, custodial institutions, depression, comorbidity;
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 4(1/2), 2013, pp.24-32.
Publisher:
Emerald
... psychiatric comorbidity, most commonly schizophrenia, but unlike controls, personality disorder and drug and alcohol disorders were uncommon. Lifetime sexually inappropriate behaviour and physical violence were less common, as was non-compliance with medication. However, 78 per cent had a lifetime history of physical violence and a third had a conviction for GBH or homicide. Offending behaviour
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the characteristics of adult male autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) patients admitted to low secure services and to compare them with non-ASD patients.
Design/methodology/approach – Case-control study of admissions to two ASD units and one non-ASD unit at a tertiary referral centre. Subjects were compared on demographic, personal, clinical and offending behaviour variables.
Findings – In total, 51 ASD and 43 controls were studied. Median age at diagnosis of ASD was 21 years (range 6-56). The ASD group were younger (median age 27 vs 33 years) and more likely to be single than controls. Their age at first contact with psychiatric services was lower and proportionally more were admitted from prison and courts. Almost three-quarters had psychiatric comorbidity, most commonly schizophrenia, but unlike controls, personality disorder and drug and alcohol disorders were uncommon. Lifetime sexually inappropriate behaviour and physical violence were less common, as was non-compliance with medication. However, 78 per cent had a lifetime history of physical violence and a third had a conviction for GBH or homicide. Offending behaviour was sometimes atypical in nature and some had convictions for unusual offences such as harassment and stalking.
Research limitations/implications – The age difference between cases and controls is likely to have confounded the results. Findings cannot be generalised to the NHS.
Originality/value – This group of ASD patients in low security differed in several important respects from their non-ASD counterparts, which highlights their differing treatment needs, strengths and weaknesses.
(Publisher abstract)
Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology (The), 25(1), 2014, pp.44-60.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Background: Comorbid substance use disorder(s) and post-traumatic stress disorder (SUD-PTSD) is common among prisoners and linked to an increased risk of criminal recidivism; however, little is known about the characteristics of prisoners with this comorbidity. Aim: This study provides a preliminary examination of the clinical and criminal profile of male inmates with symptoms of SUD-PTSD, a trauma in prison being more likely than inmates who had no prison trauma to have experienced a physical assault. Conclusion: Male prisoners with SUD-PTSD are a high-needs group yet treatment responses are poor. Further research examining treatment options for this comorbidity may improve prisoner well-being and reduce recidivism.
(Publisher abstract)
Background: Comorbid substance use disorder(s) and post-traumatic stress disorder (SUD-PTSD) is common among prisoners and linked to an increased risk of criminal recidivism; however, little is known about the characteristics of prisoners with this comorbidity. Aim: This study provides a preliminary examination of the clinical and criminal profile of male inmates with symptoms of SUD-PTSD, and examines whether this profile differs according to whether a person has experienced a trauma while in prison. Methods: Thirty male inmates from two correctional centres in Sydney, Australia, were recruited and assessed using a structured interview. Results: The sample reported extensive criminal, substance use and trauma histories. A history of substance dependence was almost universal (90%) and 56.7% met diagnostic criteria for PTSD with the remainder experiencing sub-threshold symptoms. Forty-three per cent reported a traumatic event while in prison. Those who had experienced trauma in prison, compared to those who had not, were more likely to nominate heroin as their main drug of concern and to be receiving drug treatment in prison. There was also a trend toward inmates who had experienced a trauma in prison being more likely than inmates who had no prison trauma to have experienced a physical assault. Conclusion: Male prisoners with SUD-PTSD are a high-needs group yet treatment responses are poor. Further research examining treatment options for this comorbidity may improve prisoner well-being and reduce recidivism.
(Publisher abstract)
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 4(1/2), 2013, pp.60-64.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose – People with Asperger syndrome are at increased risk of co-morbid mental health problems. The core features underlying autism are likely to play an important role in offending behaviour amongst this population. Forensic rehabilitation includes a multidisciplinary approach and combination of therapeutic interventions. However there is limited evidence in the literature of what constitutes effective treatment within this setting, and how the process of rehabilitation is experienced by patients. The purpose of this paper is to describe a case of Asperger syndrome with co-morbid psychosis and offending behaviour and the process of forensic rehabilitation.
Design/methodology/approach – The authors briefly review the literature related to Asperger syndrome, offending in this population and co-morbidity. The authors then describe and reflect on a case of a young man with Asperger syndrome, sexual offending and the process of forensic rehabilitation, and offer an insight from the patient's perspective.
Findings – Co-morbid mental illness, when detected early, can be successfully managed with limited additional disability. The process of forensic rehabilitation includes a multidisciplinary approach. Therapeutic interventions specifically aimed at addressing core features of autism, risk and offence-related factors are effective in promoting recovery amongst those with autism and offending behaviour.
Originality/value – The paper highlights how core features of autism can lead to offending behaviour, the importance of early recognition and treatment of co-morbidity, and the process of forensic rehabilitation and recovery. Also included are quotes from the patient's perspective on what it is like to have Asperger syndrome, and what has been the key learning from the rehabilitation process.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose – People with Asperger syndrome are at increased risk of co-morbid mental health problems. The core features underlying autism are likely to play an important role in offending behaviour amongst this population. Forensic rehabilitation includes a multidisciplinary approach and combination of therapeutic interventions. However there is limited evidence in the literature of what constitutes effective treatment within this setting, and how the process of rehabilitation is experienced by patients. The purpose of this paper is to describe a case of Asperger syndrome with co-morbid psychosis and offending behaviour and the process of forensic rehabilitation.
Design/methodology/approach – The authors briefly review the literature related to Asperger syndrome, offending in this population and co-morbidity. The authors then describe and reflect on a case of a young man with Asperger syndrome, sexual offending and the process of forensic rehabilitation, and offer an insight from the patient's perspective.
Findings – Co-morbid mental illness, when detected early, can be successfully managed with limited additional disability. The process of forensic rehabilitation includes a multidisciplinary approach. Therapeutic interventions specifically aimed at addressing core features of autism, risk and offence-related factors are effective in promoting recovery amongst those with autism and offending behaviour.
Originality/value – The paper highlights how core features of autism can lead to offending behaviour, the importance of early recognition and treatment of co-morbidity, and the process of forensic rehabilitation and recovery. Also included are quotes from the patient's perspective on what it is like to have Asperger syndrome, and what has been the key learning from the rehabilitation process.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
autism, Aspergers syndrome, rehabilitation, mental health problems, forensic psychiatry, literature reviews, sexual offences, case studies, men, young offenders, comorbidity;