Emma Williams, Martha Ferrito and James Tapp
The efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for schizophrenia in community and general psychiatric settings has been widely investigated and its practice recommended in…
Abstract
Purpose
The efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for schizophrenia in community and general psychiatric settings has been widely investigated and its practice recommended in primary and secondary care. In secure forensic mental health services the evidence is less established. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of group CBT for schizophrenia in a high secure hospital.
Design/methodology/approach
In all, 27 male forensic patients completed a manualised CBT group and were compared on primary and secondary outcomes to patients receiving treatment as usual (TAU). Primary outcomes were positive and negative symptoms as measured by the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS). A secondary outcome was interpersonal functioning as measured by the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-64).
Findings
CBT participants showed improvement on negative symptoms; affective flattening, alogia, anhedonia and avolition; in comparison to participants in TAU. CBT participants also showed reductions in delusions and hallucinations on the SAPS but not the PSYRATS. TAU participants improved on positive symptoms as measured by the PSYRATS. CBT participants showed reductions in overall interpersonal problems, and most notably in being socially inhibited and self-sacrificing. No iatrogenic effects of treatment were found; improvements in depression anxiety and stress were reported by group completers, which contrasted to experiences of the TAU group.
Research limitations/implications
Absence of random allocation to CBP or TAU groups retains the risk of recruitment bias. Findings are preliminary given the sample size. Multiple outcome assessments increase risk of a type I error.
Practical implications
CBT for schizophrenia can be effective with clients in secure forensic mental health settings. Improvements in negative symptoms and interpersonal functioning appear to be particular gains. Self-report measures might be subject to specific demand characteristics in such settings.
Originality/value
The evaluation includes a comparator group in a high secure setting, which is typically absent in reported evidence for this population (Blackburn, 2004). The study also investigated changes in interpersonal functioning, which has previously been noted as an important but absent outcome in CBT for psychosis (Haddock et al., 2009). Iatrogenic outcomes were also considered in the evaluation to ensure no adverse effects were experienced from treatment.
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The Vitae Yorkshire & North‐East Region Hub and the Society for Research into Higher Education Postgraduate Issues & Academic Practice Networks jointly organised this seminar on…
Abstract
The Vitae Yorkshire & North‐East Region Hub and the Society for Research into Higher Education Postgraduate Issues & Academic Practice Networks jointly organised this seminar on 30th April 2009 at the University of Leeds, UK. The seminar comprised two sessions, each with presentation followed by audio‐recorded open discussion. Attendees were from those working in the UK in the area of researcher and academic development who were invited and able to attend. A summary of the presentations and the second session discussion questions were posted immediately after the event on the Society for Research into Higher Education Postgraduate Issues Network website (http://www.srhe.ac.uk/networks.pin.asp). Those invited (attending or not) were able to respond further in writing. This report provides a collated summary of what people said in the period leading up to the Vitae researcher development conference 2009: Realising the potential of researchers (8‐9 September), where I introduced this report in the fringe session “Assessment within development events as evaluation of researcher support programmes”, and does not draw firm conclusions. Its purpose is more to help move further the debate in this domain of practice about “Which Direction Forward?”, with a view towards implications for both academic and non‐academic career paths for researchers, and to raise further discussion (see invitation at the end).
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This paper proposes a complementary strategy that works in conjunction with physical restraint and which seeks to address dysfunctional thinking patterns thought to be…
Abstract
This paper proposes a complementary strategy that works in conjunction with physical restraint and which seeks to address dysfunctional thinking patterns thought to be contributory to the maintenance of the emotion of anger during an incident of aggression. The paper also includes a clinical case example to illustrate a variety of techniques that are designed to engage, challenge and dispute negative automatic thoughts and expressed verbal dialogue in an individual who requires restraint due to his aggressive and potentially harmful behaviour, which is driven by anger.
Arianna Barbin, Anna Gekoski, Kari Davies and Miranda A.H. Horvath
Several studies have been conducted to understand why the conviction rate for rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) remains so low. Increasing pressure and criticism have led…
Abstract
Purpose
Several studies have been conducted to understand why the conviction rate for rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) remains so low. Increasing pressure and criticism have led to questioning why improvements in RASSO investigations are proving ineffective. The purpose of this study was to capture police officers’ perspective of police specialism while investigating RASSO.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 82 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data collection spanned across two years, from October 2021 until May 2023, and included police officers from four police forces in England and Wales. Template analysis was used to identify recurrent patterns around police specialism for RASSO.
Findings
Most officers viewed specialism as a tool to improve how police forces prevent and tackle RASSO. In spite of this, the lack of prioritisation of specialist training, roles and units specifically for this crime type has hindered the development of evidence-based practice in policing. The impact on well-being, resources, organisational support and role identity has been explored.
Originality/value
This is the first qualitative study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to look at officers’ insights on police specialism for RASSO in England and Wales. Officers discussed day-to-day challenges associated with conducting RASSO investigations while reflecting on potential advantages related to dedicated specialist units and/or specialist roles.
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In the context of rising reports of rape, set against falling convictions, it has been argued that rape has been de facto decriminalised in England and Wales. This paper aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
In the context of rising reports of rape, set against falling convictions, it has been argued that rape has been de facto decriminalised in England and Wales. This paper aims to explore how police and prosecutors investigating rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) use and perceive investigation management documents (IMDs), and how high-quality IMDs may lead to better justice outcomes. IMDs must be started by police at the beginning of an investigation and should document: what an officer is/is not doing and why; what the reasonable lines of enquiry are and their outcomes; and what has translated to evidence and supports charge, disclosure or unused material. The document is shared with the crown prosecution service at the point a charging decision is sought.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 police officers and five crown prosecutors across five areas in Year 2 of Operation Soteria Bluestone, a project that aimed to improve how police investigate rape. These interviews were analysed using the qualitative method of thematic analysis.
Findings
Three main themes were identified relating to timeliness, understanding, and quality of IMDs. It was found that IMDs are not always started at the beginning of RASSO investigations or even at all. Officers also lacked understanding around the purpose of IMDs, often seeing them as duplications of other case files. Finally, prosecutors and police concurred that the quality of IMDs are generally poor and lacking in critical reflection.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first academic paper to consider the use of IMDs by police and prosecutors in RASSO investigations. As such, it is both a unique contribution to the field and also provides a platform for future research. Understanding how police officers can produce the highest quality IMDs, in a timely fashion, is of paramount importance given the wider societal context of increasing reports of rape alongside low charge rates. Implications for training are considered.
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Katherine Allen, Aneela Khan, Miranda A.H. Horvath and Kari Davies
This paper aims to evaluate how five Operation Soteria Bluestone (OSB) participating forces integrated principles of procedural justice and proactive disruption of offending into…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate how five Operation Soteria Bluestone (OSB) participating forces integrated principles of procedural justice and proactive disruption of offending into their investigations, specifically during the closing stages of a case when considering exit strategy and longer-term prevention.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods approach was taken, including 32 semi-structured interviews with officers and 59 case reviews of recent rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO). Data analysis methods included qualitative thematic analysis of interviews, while data from reviewed case logs was extracted and analysed using a bespoke case review tool.
Findings
Increased workloads, preparation of evidence and relational/communication difficulties with the crown prosecution service (CPS) were identified as barriers to implementing long-term disruption options. Dedicated resourcing, training and support are needed to promote suspect-focused investigative strategy and wider uptake of long-term disruption methods. Early investigative approach was also found to have “snowball” effects on suspect exit strategy, with initial lack of suspect focus and preoccupation with victim credibility, impeding consideration of long-term disruption and safeguarding options. Findings also point to a disparity between promising practice in relation to procedural justice for victims and (a relative lack of) proactive policing of repeat suspects.
Originality/value
The study represents a novel contribution to research on policing RASSO, illustrating the scale and nature of the obstacles to changing how these offences are investigated, even when under intense scrutiny from policy makers. It also highlights how increased organisational investment and support is linked to positive changes in practice in some forces.
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The purpose of this paper is to question our faith in numbers. It asks how much credibility can numbers and quantification of data offer us as researchers?
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to question our faith in numbers. It asks how much credibility can numbers and quantification of data offer us as researchers?
Design/methodology/approach
The research asked the question “Does gender matter?” in the case of banks lending to male and female business owners. To test this the bank loan officers were given an identical fictional bank loan proposal from either Jack or Emma Jones. It was assumed that the more positive statements made, the more likely there would be a positive decision to lend to either Jack or Emma.
Findings
The main finding was that no link was found between the number of positive statements made and the final decision on whether or not to lend to either gender. While counting, we assume, injects precision into analysis, in this case it provided no support for the existence of a relationship between the numbers of positive statements and final decision on whether or not to lend. Some reasons are presented.
Research limitations/implications
The paper features a small sample of 35 interviews. It would be interesting to see if this same finding is replicated in other studies of bank loan decision making using bank loan proposals and investigating the effect of gender on decisions.
Originality/value
This research builds upon the 1993 research of Fay and Williams.
Joana Ferreira, Miranda A.H. Horvath and Kari Davies
Despite recent increases, the low level of convictions in cases of rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO), aligned with the subsequent lack of victim satisfaction with the…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite recent increases, the low level of convictions in cases of rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO), aligned with the subsequent lack of victim satisfaction with the process, has highlighted the various challenges and barriers throughout the criminal justice process. Whilst understanding the shortcomings of criminal justice processes in cases of RASSO requires a holistic approach, this paper focuses on case preparation and the application of the Full Code test. Its purpose is to explore the application of this test and preceding case preparation in police decision-making around submitting cases for charging decision, following the recommendations of the first year of Operation Soteria Bluestone.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a mixed-method approach, combining both interviews and case reviews of selected RASSO cases across five forces in England and Wales.
Findings
This research found a shift towards “threshold thinking”, whereby officers arguably no longer try to predict a prosecutor’s decision and instead focus on meeting the requirements for the application of the test. In terms of case preparation, the research demonstrates a move away from “fishing expeditions”, with a preference for more focused approaches to collecting evidence.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies looking at the use of full code test principles in police decision-making in RASSO cases.