Diss. - Jena. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1983. / Vita. Bibliography: leaves [178]-199.

This thesis addresses the growing number of inmates with a mental illness in correctional facilities in Canada which continues to attract public attention and concern. Several explanations have been put forward to explain the rise in the number of inmates with a mental illness. These include: the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill that began in the 1970’s, lack of treatment availability for those released into the community, and criminalization of persons with a mental illness by the justice system. The increasing numbers of persons with a mental illness in the correctional system has led to serious concerns about the capacity of this system to manage, treat, and rehabilitate individuals with a mental illness. Lack of proper treatment, management, rehabilitation and monitored discharge means that inmates with serious mental illness are more likely to come into contact with the criminal justice system more frequently. This thesis examines the incidence seriously mentally ill offenders and their propensity to recontact. Three hundred and ninety eight face-to-face assessments were conducted using the Resident Assessment Instrument-Mental Health 2.0 (RAI-MH) and from total scores from the Level of Service Inventory Ontario Revision (LSI-OR). These assessments were conducted in 14 Ontario Provincial Correctional facilities during the years 2005-2008. Bivariate and multivariate regression analysis was conducted to assess recontact rates for serious mentally disordered and non-mentally disordered offenders. With regards to recontact, no differences were revealed between the seriously mentally ill offender and non-mentally ill offender. This null finding on recontact is very surprising given the current literature on the seriously mentally ill. An additional finding revealed that for offenders with or without a serious mental illness, having a higher score on the scale of criminogenic tendencies (LSI-OR) increased rates for recontact. Another surprising finding is that seriously mentally ill offenders were more likely to commit minor crimes upon release, rather than violent crimes as current literature suggests. A more accurate research tool, as well as a larger sample size, will be required to assess the validity of these results. The implications of the negative outcome with respect to recontact and issues of identifiable risk factors for recidivism for both seriously mentally ill and non-mentally ill inmate populations are discussed in relation to outcomes in terms of both improvements to Corrections policy and theories of criminology. It is important to continue research in this area, to determine the true gravity of the incidence and recontact rates of mentally ill offenders.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Psychology, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 62-68).

No description available.

published_or_final_version / English Studies / Master / Master of Arts

The ubiquity of mental illness and its exponential growth in the US has made it the primary “medical disability” of our time. This pervasiveness and the destructive force behind it to destroy human spirit demands an urgent attention not only from medical community, and social policy makers, but also from the church. In the history of Christian communities, mental illness has tended to be viewed as some form of malignant manifestation that stands against the will and rule of God. It has thus tended to evoke a response from within the church. Today, for the most part, that response has been delegated to the medical profession and the state. The issue of mental illness has invited many debates in the current philosophical and scientific realms. In this thesis I will present a historical analysis which outlines something of the roots of how we have come to frame mental illness in contemporary America. The twentieth century saw an astronomical rise in the popularity of the biological sciences as explanatory frameworks for everything related to human beings. Psychiatry has attempted to develop a scientific context to capitalize on that success and create a framework for how we view and name those experiences that make up the criteria “mental illness.” We will evaluate those attempts and seek to explore the challenges of modern psychiatry in normalizing human behavior based on scientific theories. The intention of this study is to determine whether the church could or should intervene in such encounters, and if so, what such an intervention might look like. Mental anguish can cripple individuals in variety of ways. Among all manifestations of distress, anxiety, fear, and mental confusion, nothing can be more destructive than what psychiatry has called “schizophrenia.” This has been the most elusive, cruel, and puzzling “mental disorder” of all times, leading to prolonged disability and inten Mental anguish can cripple individuals in variety of ways. Among all manifestations of distress, anxiety, fear, and mental confusion, nothing can be more destructive than what psychiatry has called “schizophrenia.” This has been the most elusive, cruel, and puzzling “mental disorder” of all times, leading to prolonged disability and intense personal suffering. Furthermore, it attacks the core of a person’s consciousness, sense of identity, humanity and ability to relate to others and to God. This thesis proposes a biblically based Christian framework for interpreting the phenomenon of “schizophrenia” through a theological reflection on the experience quite apart from what psychiatry may or may not have to say. It will be argued that not only is “schizophrenia” not pathological, but rather it touches on the most fundamental fragilities of the human soul—hence, it is a very critical pastoral issue. We will argue that madness ought to be recognized as a phenomenon, both theological and teleological, with a deep prophetic voice, exposing our state of sinfulness, calling the church into repentance. Given that, we will explore how the church ought to encounter it effectively and faithfully.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to develop, test, and apply a questionnaire which would be used to determine the possibility of PMS in women being admitted to psychiatric facilities. Although a review of the literature supported the assumption that PMS symptoms and symptoms of psychiatric illness share overlapping features, the evaluation process currently implemented in psychiatric facilities does not allow for the possibility of a diagnosis of PMS. The questionnaire, created to detect PMS symptom changes in intensity and timing, was administered to women newly admitted to psychiatric facilities. Thirty-two percent of the group demonstrated the possibility of having PMS. The results of this study would suggest that women of child-bearing potential, admitted to a psychiatric facility, might be evaluated for the possibility of PMS.

Objectives. To design a group-based, psychoeducational and behavioural modification course to help individuals with mood and anxiety disorders who are directly affected by mental health stigma. Second, to gather feedback on the course content and design using focus groups, then to finalize the course sessions. Methods. Course development occurred in two phases. Phase I included content that was based on published research, including readings of personal experiences, and informal conversations with mental health service providers and mental health service consumers. In Phase II, three focus groups were conducted to gather feedback. Focus Group 1 included ten mental health service providers, Focus Group 2 included twelve mental health service consumers, and Focus Group 3 included three experts in the field of mental health stigma. Results. All three groups had a positive reaction to the draft course and many suggestions were offered based upon focus group members’ personal experiences dealing with mental health stigma. All suggestions were taken into consideration and many were applied to refine the course content. Conclusion. The revised anti-stigma course content is based on a compilation of research and suggestions taken from a wide variety of sources. This should ensure a comprehensive, feasible, and effective course. Development of this course is the first step towards a larger project aimed at reducing stigma directly experienced by those affected by mood and anxiety disorders in an effort to better their lives and encourage both resiliency and recovery. / Thesis (Master, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2012-09-24 21:04:08.965