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Do male and female forensic patients with learning disabilities differ on subscales of the Novaco Anger Scale and Provocation Inventory (NAS-PI)?
- Authors:
- CHILVERS Jane, THOMAS Cathy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Learning Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 2(2), 2011, pp.84-97.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
While anger is associated with learning disabled populations, the role of gender is not clear. This study examined the experience of anger in females within a forensic psychiatric service. The Novaco Anger Scale and Provocation Inventory was applied. Scores obtained by 12 females were compared with those of 23 males. Findings revealed significant differences between gender scores, suggesting female forensic patients with learning disabilities experience higher levels of anger than do males, particularly in the arousal domain, and demonstrated difficulties in regulating anger. Gender specific differences, and the potential influence of learning disabilities should be considered when assessing and treating anger difficulties. Female forensic patients with learning disabilities may benefit from a greater emphasis on anger arousal reduction work. The authors recommend further research using more measures to further understand how the impact of gender and learning disabilities on the experience of anger is related.
The impact of a ward-based mindfulness programme on recorded aggression in a medium secure facility for women with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- CHILVERS Jane, THOMAS Cathy, STANBURY Alex
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Learning Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 2(1), January 2011, pp.27-41.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Mindfulness is the practice of focusing attention effectively and purposefully, in a non-judgmental manner, on current circumstances. It has been increasingly used as a tool for managing a range of difficulties associated with personal suffering, including stress and chronic pain, as well as some aspects of mental disorder. This study aimed to investigate whether the introduction of mindfulness open group sessions would reduce the overall number of aggressive incidents recorded by female patients with learning disabilities in a forensic medium secure psychiatric unit. The participants were all of the 15 patients resident on the ward from October to April 2010. Twice-weekly, 30-minute group sessions were held, and the participants had the option of opting in or out of each session. Proxy measures of institutional aggression, namely the number of observations, physical interventions, and seclusions, were recorded at baseline and at 2 months and 6 months following the introduction of the sessions. Friedman's Analysis of Variance and post-hoc analyses using Wilcoxon's Signed Ranks showed a significant reduction of the 3 measures at 6 months. The potential influence of basic mindfulness practice sessions in reducing aggression is discussed.