Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques

We review psychometric and other evidence relevant to mixed anxiety-depression. Properties of anxiety and depression measures, including the convergent and discriminant validity of self- and clinical ratings, and interrater reliability, are examined in patient and normal samples. Results suggest that anxiety and depression can be reliably and validly assessed; moreover, although these disorders share a substantial component of general affective distress, they can be differentiated on the basis of factors specific to each syndrome. We also review evidence for these specific factors, examining the influence of context and scale content on ratings, factor analytic studies, and the role of low positive affect in depression. With these data, we argue for a tripartite structure consisting of general distress, physiological hyperarousal (specific anxiety), and anhedonia (specific depression), and we propose a diagnosis of mixed anxiety-depression.

Tripartite model of anxiety and depression: psychometric evidence and taxonomic implications.

This meta-analysis of 172 studies (N = 2,263 anxious, N = 1,768 nonanxious) examined the boundary conditions of threat-related attentional biases in anxiety. Overall, the results show that the bias is reliably demonstrated with different experimental paradigms and under a variety of experimental conditions, but that it is only an effect size of d = 0.45. Although processes requiring conscious perception of threat contribute to the bias, a significant bias is also observed with stimuli outside awareness. The bias is of comparable magnitude across different types of anxious populations (individuals with different clinical disorders, high-anxious nonclinical individuals, anxious children and adults) and is not observed in nonanxious individuals. Empirical and clinical implications as well as future directions for research are discussed.

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Threat-related attentional bias in anxious and nonanxious individuals: a meta-analytic study.

A meta-analysis of 82 recidivism studies (1,620 findings from 29,450 sexual offenders) identified deviant sexual preferences and antisocial orientation as the major predictors of sexual recidivism for both adult and adolescent sexual offenders. Antisocial orientation was the major predictor of violent recidivism and general (any) recidivism. The review also identified some dynamic risk factors that have the potential of being useful treatment targets (e.g., sexual preoccupations, general self-regulation problems). Many of the variables commonly addressed in sex offender treatment programs (e.g., psychological distress, denial of sex crime, victim empathy, stated motivation for treatment) had little or no relationship with sexual or violent recidivism.

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The Characteristics of Persistent Sexual Offenders: A Meta-Analysis of Recidivism Studies.

Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People for Change

Abstract Areh et al. ( Psychiatry, Psychology and Law 29:183–205, 2022) recently commented on what standards should be applied to determine whether a test is appropriate for psycholegal use and concluded that the Rorschach does not meet their proposed standards. Accordingly, they concluded that psychologists should not use it in legal contexts. However, Areh et al.’s (2022) claims are based on a significant misunderstanding of how the Rorschach task works, relative neglect of the last 20 years of Rorschach research, unrealistic psychometric standards for assessing the reliability and validity of a psychological assessment measure, and a single European legal case in which a forensic expert used the Rorschach inappropriately. Our article seeks to clarify and correct some of their errors and misleading assertions. First, we clarify how the Rorschach task works according to more recent and widely accepted conceptualizations. Then, we show that Areh et al.’s (2022) position that Rorschach task data do not meet acceptable validity standards, especially when compared to medical tests, is empirically untenable. Next, we provide a detailed and nuanced account of what the Rorschach has to offer as a performance-based assessment method for forensic evaluators and the legal system, with attention paid to the anecdotal legal case Areh et al. (2022) highlighted. Finally, we provide four reasons why the Rorschach can be a useful tool for forensic mental health assessments when using the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS). 

Clarifying Sound and Suspect Use of the Rorschach in Forensic Mental Health Evaluations: A Response to Areh et al. (2022)

Our critique of van der Kolk and Ducey's (1989) article pointed out a number of errors and shortcomings (Cohen and de Ruiter, 1991). The authors have responded to our critique (Ducey and van der Kolk, 1991). Our reply consists of three sections. First we will review Ducey and van der Kolk's response and focus on the validity of our original criticisms. Second we will review some of the new points raised in their response. Third we will show where Ducey and van der Kolk have distorted our critique.

Psychological processing of criticism: Reaction to Ducey and van der Kolk

Steeds meer gz-psychologen zijn werkzaam in de forensische sector, en dat aantal zal de komende jaren zeker nog toenemen getuige de prognoses. Daar staat tegenover dat in Nederland op dit moment het opleidingsaanbod op het gebied van de forensische psychologie (nog) beperkt is. Forensische casuistiek is bijna altijd complex en doet een maximaal beroep op de kennis en het analytisch/kritisch denkvermogen van de psycholoog die de forensische client diagnostisch onderzoekt of behandelt. In deze serie worden aan de hand van gevalsstudies belangrijke thema’s uit de forensische psychologie belicht.

Moord in de familie

De prevalentie van geweldsdelicten in Nederland laat de afgelopen decennia een duidelijke stijging zien. Het voorkomen van recidive bij deze groep daders is dan ook een beleidsprioriteit. In de loop der jaren zijn behandelinterventies voor geweldplegers ontwikkeld, zoals Aggression Replacement Training en Anger Management. Uit meta-analyses naar de effectiviteit van cognitief-gedragstherapeutische interventies voor geweldplegers blijkt dat deze een gemiddelde effectgrootte van rond .80 weten te bereiken, wat als een groot effect wordt beschouwd. Effectieve interventies voldoen aan de principes van de psychologie van crimineel gedrag, zoals geformuleerd door Andrews en Bonta. Centraal in dit model staan het risico- , behoefte- en responsiviteitsprincipe. Dit houdt in dat op gedragsverandering gerichte interventies moeten worden aangewend bij matig- tot hoog-risico delinquenten; dat de interventie gericht dient te zijn op verandering van criminogene behoeften, zoals middelenmisbruik en procriminele opvattingen; en dat de interventie aansluit bij de leerstijl van de delinquent, gestructureerd is en concreet.

http://www.corinederuiter.eu/file.php?nr=196&code=cb8c821b6c08c934ac0b3cedbb981327&time=1449253910

Corine de Ruiter

Papers

Clarifying Sound and Suspect Use of the Rorschach in Forensic Mental Health Evaluations: A Response to Areh et al. (2022)

Psychological processing of criticism: Reaction to Ducey and van der Kolk

Moord in de familie

Voorkomen van recidive bij geweldsdelinquenten: wat werkt

De strafrechtelijke maatregel terbeschikkingstelling