Simone Fox

The relationship between attribution of blame for a violent act and EPQ-R sub-scales in male offenders with mental disorder

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between personality, depression and attribution of blame for a violent act. Data was collected from 65 male inpatients from two Medium Secure Units. All participants had committed an act of a violent nature. Participants were administered the Gudjonsson Blame Attribution Inventory (GBAI), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised (EPQ-R) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Results were generally supportive of previous research findings. Guilt attributions were negatively correlated with psychoticism scores, external attributions were positively correlated with psychoticism scores and mental element attributions were positively correlated with neuroticism scores, on the EPQ-R. A trend was further observed between higher guilt attributions and increased depression scores.

Reporting of personality disorder symptoms in a forensic inpatient sample: Effects of mode of assessment and response style

Abstract Self-report measures of personality disorder are known to over-report personality disorder traits consistently relative to measures based on a clinical interview. This study tests the hypothesis that there is a relationship between a participants tendency to give socially desirable responses and the discrepancy between their results on self-report and interview-based measures. The relative over-reporting of the self-report measure, the PDQ4, was confirmed, but no association was found between the magnitude of the over-reporting and the tendency to give socially desirable responses.

The association between the offender–victim relationship, severity of offence and attribution of blame in mentally disordered offenders

Abstract The aim of this research was to investigate the association between the offender–victim relationship, severity of violence and attribution of blame for a violent act. Data were collected from 65 male psychiatric inpatients from two secure units. Participants were divided into three groups according to how well they knew their victim: victim well-known, victim acquaintance and victim stranger. Violent acts were further ranked according to offence severity. Participants were administered the Quick Test (QT) and the Gudjonsson Blame Attribution Inventory (GBAI). Although there was a trend towards higher guilt attributions when the victim was well-known to the perpetrator, this relationship was complicated by the severity of the violent act. The most severe ranking of offence (i.e. murder/manslaughter) was most common in the offender group who knew their victim well. Furthermore, guilt-feeling attributions were highest in the most severe ranking of offence. The implications of these findings for assessment and intervention programmes are considered.

Experiences of shame and empathy in violent and non-violent young offenders

Youth offending is one of societys most pressing problems and the development of our understanding in this area is of paramount importance. Shame and empathy are believed to play a role in offending; however, research investigating these concepts in the young offender population is limited and further work is necessary to investigate their role within this neglected group. Using a sample of 80 violent and non-violent male young offenders, this study investigated whether there were any differences between experiences of shame and empathy in these groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the levels of shame they experienced. There was, however, a significant difference between the groups in their levels of empathy, with violent young offenders experiencing lower levels of empathy. This result has implications for young offender treatment programmes, with particular emphasis on differentiating violent and non-violent offenders.

Beliefs about substance use and the attribution of blame for offending

Substance misuse has been associated with an increased risk of violence and offending in those with severe mental illness. The current study explored the relationship between attitudes regarding substance use and the attribution of blame for a criminal offence in a sample of male mentally disordered offenders with a history of substance misuse. Participants completed measures that examined general beliefs about substance use and blame attributions for an offence they had committed, and identified substances previously used. Cannabis and alcohol were the most frequently used substances, and polysubstance use was common. Results indicated a significant correlation between substance-related beliefs and the attribution of blame for offending; in particular, greater maladaptive substance-related beliefs were correlated with higher externalisation of blame for the index offence (p<0.001). The need for appropriate interventions that address the relationship between substance use, offending and mental health in forensic populations to be developed is considered.

The importance of looking credible: the impact of the behavioural sequelae of post-traumatic stress disorder on the credibility of asylum seekers

Memory difficulties following traumatic experiences have been found to result in testimonial inconsistencies, which can affect credibility judgements in asylum decisions. No investigations have looked into how/whether the behavioural sequelae of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affect decisions. This study aimed to investigate this by looking at whether observable symptoms of PTSD can be confused with perceived cues to deception. An actor performed four versions of a fictional ‘asylum interview’ that contained differing levels of pre-defined ‘deception’ and ‘trauma’ behaviours. Four groups of students (total n = 118) each watched a different interview. They gave subjective ratings of credibility, plus quantitative and qualitative information about the factors that influenced their judgements. Despite the content of the interviews remaining the same, significant differences in credibility ratings were found between interviews; with the interview containing both ‘trauma’ and ‘deception’ behaviours being rated as significantly less credible than the interview containing only the PTSD behaviours. ‘Emotional congruence’ was conceptualised as an important factor in influencing credibility. Results are discussed in terms of possible heuristics involved in judgements of an asylum-seeker population, as well as implications for vulnerable asylum seekers whose symptoms do not conform to stereotypes. Limitations and avenues for future research are highlighted.

Developing a model of sustained change following multisystemic therapy: young people's perspectives

Multisystemic therapy (MST) is an empirically validated, family and community-based intervention for young people presenting with antisocial and offending behaviour. This qualitative study aimed to explore young peoples experiences of MST and learn what had helped them to sustain positive outcomes over time. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight young people at an average of 14 months after MST (range: 5–21 months). A constructivist version of grounded theory was employed to analyse the data, leading to the development of a model of sustained change in MST. Themes from the model included therapeutic alliance, increases in systemic awareness, recognizing responsibility, positive peer relationships, acknowledging and celebrating success, continued use of specific strategies (for example, worry boxes) and the identification and creation of a preferred future. This research presents an understanding of how change may be sustained after MST, highlighting systemic, developmental and individual factors in relation to this. Clinical implications and a proposed model of sustained change in MST are discussed. Practitioner points The therapeutic alliance was perceived by young people as central to the process of change and sustained change following MST Young peoples contribution to sustaining therapeutic gains at follow up, alongside caregivers, highlighted the importance of actively engaging them in therapy Peer relationships were identified as relevant to sustaining change, particularly in relation to shared values and goals for the future

Sustaining change following multisystemic therapy: caregiver's perspectives

Multisystemic therapy (MST) is an empirically supported intervention for young people presenting with antisocial behaviour. This study explored the process of sustaining positive outcomes following MST from caregiver perspectives. Semi-structured interviews were carried out 5‐21 months post-MSTwith 12 caregivers. A grounded theory methodology was used to analyse the data. Caregivers in this study identified the following themes as contributing to sustaining change; improvements in their relationship with their child, shifting how they viewed difficulties and solutions and feeling personally strengthened and resilient. The therapeutic alliance in MSTwas described as important in initiating these changes. Clinical implications and how the themes from this study fit into the existing model of change in MSTare discussed. Practitioner points • Caregivers validated the therapeutic alliance as key to the MST approach. • Experiencing a positive therapeutic alliance was also identified as important in improving relationships within the family even after therapy was completed. • Positive experiences of MST developed caregivers’ experiences of feeling more resilient in the face of later difficulties helping sustain positive outcomes.

Understanding conduct disorder: The ways in which mothers attempt to make sense of their children’s behaviour

‘Disruptive behaviour disorders’ are the most common reason for referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Current treatment guidelines focus on parent-training programmes. Difficulties are often reported when engaging families, with parental attributions and attitudes towards help-seeking proposed as influential factors. Previous research has tended to privilege pre-existing frameworks; this study utilised qualitative methods to add to the current understanding of the ways in which parents make sense of their children’s behaviour. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with six mothers, recruited through CAMHS. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) revealed four master themes: ‘Understanding the Emotional Child’, ‘The Emotional Parent’, ‘Getting Help’ and ‘The Journey’. Participants used a variety of explanations in order to make sense of their children’s behaviour, including the impact of loss and trauma. Help-seeking was associated with feelings of shame, and services were often viewed as inconsistent and stigmatising. In contrast, positive experiences were those which were characterised as being non-judgemental, normalising and took into account the wider family context, including mothers’ own emotional needs. These findings were discussed in relation to existing research and implications for clinical practice.

The relationship between schemas and offence supportive attitudes in mentally disordered sexual offenders

Abstract The study of schemas in sexual offenders is a relatively new approach in attempts to understand the deviant beliefs and attitudes of sexual offenders. Emerging findings suggest that offence supportive attitudes may be the product of an offenders underlying schemas. This study aims to establish the relationship between offence supportive attitudes and schemas in a sample of mentally disordered sexual offenders (MDSOs). Thirty-one male sexual offenders held within low through high security forensic mental health units were assessed using the Young Schema Questionnaire - Short Version 3 and the Questionnaire on Attitudes Consistent with Sex Offending. Correlational analyses suggested a pattern of relationships in which Insufficient Self-control, Entitlement and Enmeshment arose as the schemas associated with most offence supportive attitudes. This supports a relationship between schemas and offence supportive attitudes in MDSOs and is consistent with the literature to date. Implications for further research and treatment are considered.