Exploring the Impacts of Predictor Variables on Success in a Mental Health Diversion Program

Since the first Mental Health Court (MHC) in 1997, there has been a steady increase of MHCs all over the country. With the introduction of these new specialty courts have also come to introduction of diversion programs. Diversion programs work to connect offenders who have mental illnesses to community-based mental health treatment services as an alternative to incarceration. Typically, with the completion of the program comes with the benefit of having their charges dropped. Diversion programs aim to reduce recidivism in offenders with mental illness and improve their access to treatment

Exploring the Impacts of Predictor Variables on Success in a Mental Health Diversion Program

Since the first Mental Health Court (MHC) in 1997, there has been a steady increase of MHCs all over the country. With the introduction of these new specialty courts have also come to introduction of diversion programs. Diversion programs work to connect offenders who have mental illnesses to community-based mental health treatment services as an alternative to incarceration. Typically, with the completion of the program comes with the benefit of having their charges dropped. Diversion programs aim to reduce recidivism in offenders with mental illness and improve their access to treatment

A Meta-Analysis of the Association between the Children\u27s Depression Inventory (CDI) and Suicidality

A number of factors are associated with adolescent suicidal behaviors. One such factor is depressive symptoms, and there are multiple measures designed to assess youth depressive symptoms. One of the most commonly used instruments to assess depressive symptoms in youth is the Children\u27s Depression Inventory (CDI). The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between the CDI total score and adolescent suicidality (e.g., suicidal ideation, suicide attempts). Research reports were located through searching databases (e.g., PsycINFO) and reviewing reference lists. A total of 56 research reports (N = 24,369) were identified as meeting inclusion criteria. Due to non-overlapping subgroups, 66 correlations were included in a random-effects model. The overall correlation between the CDI total score and suicidality was found to be 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.32, 0.41], 80% credibility interval (CrI) [0.13, 0.60], I2 = 94.15. Two coded study characteristics were found to significantly moderate effect sizes: when passive suicidal ideation was incorporated into the measurement of suicidality and sample type (i.e., clinical, school, community, forensic, mixed). Based on the results of this meta-analysis, CDI total scores could be used as a tool for evaluating adolescents\u27 suicide risk. However, a determination of adolescents\u27 suicide risk should never be based on CDI results alone, and the limitations of this meta-analysis should be considered when evaluating the strength of the findings

Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Trends, Risk Factors and Interventions

This brief explores the current theories, trends, risk factors, and intervention efforts related to juvenile crime. Although arrest rates for juveniles in the US have declined over the last two decades, the amount of severe crimes warrants increased examination as the US reports higher rates than most other developed countries. The authors examine individual, family, and environmental risk and protective factors for juvenile crime, while considering the need for better integration of treatment into critically at-risk areas of the community. Covering notable topics of interest for researchers and public policy makers alike, this brief provides an overview of factors and trends related to juvenile crime, aiming to support more effective, evidence-based treatment and prevention.https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facbooks/1677/thumbnail.jp

Adolescent Aggression and Suicidality: A Meta-Analysis

Since the 1900s it has been theorized that aggression and suicidality are associated with each other. Research has provided empirical support for such theories, including the specific mechanisms which may explain the association between the two variables. While some researchers have begun examining the specific features of aggression and suicidality that are related to each other, this meta-analysis sought to provide an overall estimate of the association between the two variables among adolescents in order to understand the relationship as a whole. Research reports were retrieved by searching databases (e.g., PsycINFO) and reviewing subsequent reference lists. After reviewing potential research reports, 122 (N = 182,623) were selected, and 142 correlations were included in the random-effects meta-analytic model. The average correlation between aggression and suicidality was found to be 0.20, z = 14.53, p \u3c 0.001, 95% CI [0.17, 0.23], I2 = 95.0%, and three moderators were found to significantly influence effect sizes. This meta-analysis demonstrates that there can be a moderate correlation between aggression and suicidality among adolescents, however the average effect size might be smaller or larger depending on methodological features of individual research reports. The observed average correlation may also be a conservative estimate due to the analytic choices for this study. Nonetheless, the results from this study could provide a general sense of the relationship between aggression and suicidality in adolescents

A Meta-Analysis of the Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST)

The Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST) is a screening instrument created to assess for potential malingering. The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the extent to which the M-FAST total score can differentiate overreporters from comparison groups. Research reports were located through searching databases (e.g., PsycINFO) and the M-FAST published manual. A random-effects model was used with Hedges\u27 g as the effect size to represent the difference between the overreporting and comparison groups\u27 M-FAST total scores. Twenty-one research reports were included in the meta-analysis, providing 25 effect sizes with nonoverlapping samples. A very large effect size was observed (g = 2.26, 95% CI [1.91, 2.62]), indicating a substantial difference on the M-FAST total score between the two groups. Moderator analyses were conducted to identify characteristics that might explain effect size variability. A significant difference was found between effect sizes that were part of the M-FAST development (g = 3.82, 95% CI [2.82, 4.82]) and effect sizes independent from its development (g = 2.03, 95% CI [1.70, 2.36]). Using 12 research reports, random-effects analyses found an average sensitivity of 0.83 and average specificity of 0.85 for the M-FAST total score at the cut-off of ≥ 6. Based on the findings, research performed independently from the M-FAST development should be consulted when evaluating the validity of the total score interpretations. Because it is a screening instrument, an examinee should not be classified as malingering from the results of the M-FAST total score alone. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)

Exploring the Shared Experiences of Yazidis Who Survived Genocide.

In August 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq (ISIS) and the Levant (ISIL) brutally attacked the Yazidi people and occupied Sinjar and other villages in Northern Iraq. The massacre of Yazidis that began in August 2014 was declared by the United Nations as genocide. To gain a better understanding and raise awareness of these atrocities, we conducted a qualitative, phenomenological study with 35 Yazidis, who survived the genocide. The aim of the study was to elucidate the Yazidis\u27 processing of the genocide and how it affects their psychological functioning. Coding and theming were the methods used to categorize, bring meaning and identity to Yazidis\u27 genocidal experiences. The interviews took place between April and June 2019. Data analysis of the interview transcripts revealed that Yazidis, who survived the genocide of 2014, commonly experienced 11 themes related to hopelessness, fear, loss, grief, distrust, change, advocacy, optimism, shock, intrusive memories, and guilt. Results from this study reveal the vulnerabilities of ethnic minorities at risk of being abducted, killed, raped, and displaced. Moreover, the inherent risk of future genocides is illustrated through the experiences shared by the Yazidis

Battered Woman Syndrome Questionnaire (BWSQ) Subscales: Development, Reliability, and Validity

The current study describes the development and evaluation of the reliability and validity of four components of a comprehensive assessment designed for the purpose of identifying women who manifest symptoms due to an intimate partner violence (IPV) relationship: The Battered Woman Syndrome Questionnaire (BWSQ). More specifically, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the factor structure, validity, temporal stability and internal consistency of four instruments for measuring current functioning of IPV survivors; (a) Interpersonal relationship (BWSQ-IR), (b) Sexual Dysfunction (BWSQ-SD), (c) Body Image (BWSQ-BI), and (d) Post-Traumatic Stress Checklist (BWSQ-PTSC). Overall, results indicate the BWSQ subscales have good temporal stability and internal consistency. Exploratory factor analysis of the four subscales indicate that each has a unidimensional factor structure. Internal consistency was high for each of the subscales. A two-way mixed effects model, intraclass correlation was used to demonstrate a high degree of test-retest reliability. Convergent and discriminant validity was demonstrated by comparing each subscale with the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (AAS), the Derogatis Interview of Sexual Functioning – Sexual Response (DISF-SR), the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS) and the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI). The four instruments demonstrate sound psychometric properties as standalone measures as well as subscales of the BWSQ

Chronic Juvenile Offenders: Exploring Risk Factor Models of Recidivism

This study examined the relationship between known risk factors for youthful offenders and rates of recidivism using Poisson regression models. The sample consisted of 564 male and female juvenile offenders referred to the Juvenile Court Assessment Center (JCAC) by the Juvenile Justice Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Miami-Dade County. First, data from a clinical interview and the administration of the Wide Range Achievement Test were factor analyzed. Six factors were found to be statistically significant based on a parallel analyses. Neighborhood factors explained the largest amount of variance followed by peer influence, family functioning, gang involvement, substance use, and academic achievement. These six domains were analyzed in separate Poisson regression models. Family-wise error rate was controlled with Bonferroni adjustments. Each model predicting number of arrests from academic performance, substance use, peer influence, gang involvement, and neighborhood factors were statistically significant. The final model including all variables across the six domains indicated good fit, χ2(14) = 201.260, p \u3c .001. Implications stemming from these findings are discussed