Predictors of Child Abuse Potential in At-Risk Adolescents

Characteristics prevalent in known child abusers and in child victims of abuse (i.e., internalizing, externalizing, sociopathy, delinquency, and nonrational conflict-solving tactics) were examined as predictors of abuse potential in adolescents. The Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory (Milner, 1986) was administered to male (n = 71) and female (n = 63) teenagers attending alternative educational sites due to behavioral problems or pregnancy. Regression analyses found unique variance in abuse potential contributed by youth (16%) and teacher (6%) reports of internalizing behavior, and youth reports of sociopathy (4%) and delinquency (4%) for a total of 33% of the variance (p < .0001, n = 91) after controlling for age, sex, and pregnancy status. Number of elevated predictors in each student was also related to increased abuse potential (r = .39, p < .001). Pregnancy status and SES were not independently associated with abuse potential. Conduct disorder as a probable precursor to future abusive behavior is suggested, and the use of the CAP with adolescents is discussed.     

头部外伤后精神损伤的法医学鉴定(附204例分析)

目的　研究颅脑外伤所致精神障碍的损伤程度评定标准。方法　通过对２０４ 例由司法部门委托进行法医学精神损伤程度鉴定实践,重点对颅脑外伤所致神经症的损伤程度评定标准及其他相关问题进行了讨论。结果　２０４ 例中,男、女比例无差异。年龄组以２１ ～３０ 岁（６３ 例） 、３１～４０ 岁（５３ 例） 居多。表明上述年龄组的社会活动多,受到伤害的可能性大;职业以工人、农民为多,文化程度相对较低。损伤原因以伤害（１０７ 例） 、交通事故（４９ 例） 为多。损伤与精神障碍间隔时间,半年以内１５２ 例,半年至１ 年为２３ 例,表明鉴定时间选择在１ 年内为佳。精神障碍的种类与性质：器质性精神障碍１０８ 例,占５２－８％ ;功能性精神障碍８４ 例,占４１－４％ ,其中外伤后神经症（ 含癔症３５ 例）６６ 例,占３２－３ ％ 。社会功能评定：无社会功能受损７７ 例,轻度受损４１ 例,明显受损８６ 例。神经系统检查：２０４ 例中有一过性神经体征３８ 例,有明显阳性体征６２ 例。损伤与精神障碍的关系：直接因果关系１０４ 例、间接因果关系６１ 例;条件相关３４ 例、无相关５ 例。损伤程度评定结果：重伤８５ 例,轻伤６７ 例,伤病关系评定４７ 例。结论　通过对２０４ 例头部外伤     

Empirical Limits for the Forensic Assessment of PTSD Litigants

This paper discusses the limits of expert opinion on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in personal injury claims. The construct of PTSD is hampered by several empirical limitations. Multiple reliable measures of PTSD exist, but have not been evaluated sufficiently within litigating samples and are infrequently used by forensic assessors. Common methods for trauma screening appear insensitive. Opinions about causation of PTSD and disability are complicated by retrospective memory biases, as well as the failure of most anxiety disorders to be detected within primary medical care. PTSD appears to have a steep spontaneous remission curve during the first year, but at least 10% of trauma-exposed people suffer chronic distress. Little is known about the course beyond 1 year. Efficacious psychological treatments have been developed for PTSD, but are not in common use limiting claimants access to rehabilitative treatments. Research on functional disability associated with PTSD is in its infancy, but it seems likely that PTSD will account for only a part of the variance in work disability. We provide suggestions for improving forensic practice, advising the courts about the limitations of forensic opinions, and necessary research.     

Regional psychiatric boards in Israel: expectations and realities

As laid down by Israeli legislation, the Regional Psychiatric Board constitutes one of the chief instruments in the monitoring of compulsory hospitalization, of compulsory outpatient treatment and of the quality of all inpatient care of the mentally ill. This article presents the findings of a study into the working of these boards. Taking a sample of every second application (N=168) over a 6-month period to one of Israel's six existing Regional Psychiatric Boards, an examination was made of the decisions issued by the board and of other aspects of its functioning. Explanations for the findings of this analysis are suggested, and generalizing from these findings, recommendations are offered for the improvement of the future functioning of all six Boards.     

治理信用缺失的法律责任制度设计

导致我国信用缺失的最根本原因是法律责任制度的不完善.健康的市场经济必须要有完善合理的信用法律责任制度来维系.我国现行的信用法律责任制度的缺陷表现为设定缺乏、设置非适度和规定的缺位.只有从多角度综合运用各种责任形式,进行完善的信用责任制度设计才能最终为市场经济的发展保驾护航.     

Oppositional defiant disorder: A systematic review of evidence of intervention effectiveness

This research synthesis examines rigorous evaluations of interventions for children diagnosed with ODD. The primary goal was to identify and synthesize through meta-analysis what is known regarding the effectiveness of various treatments. A secondary goal was to assess the degree to which treatment effectiveness is being evaluated in multiple domains. Seven studies were identified that measured outcomes in six domains. As in prior reviews, interventions demonstrate improvements in the child’s behavior at home and parental stress/strain. Support for improvements in behavior and performance in school is not as strong due in part to a scarcity of attention to the multiple domains of functioning. The interventions reviewed here demonstrate some benefit and no harm; however, there is room to strengthen the research base.     

PTSD Symptoms Experienced and Coping Tactics Used by Crime Scene Investigators in the United States

Few investigations have assessed the prevalence of posttraumatic stress experiences among Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs). We recruited a nationwide sample of 225 CSIs to complete online questionnaires assessing PTSD symptoms, use of specific coping tactics, perceived social support, trait resilience, and demographics. Seven symptoms had been experienced by at least 50% of participants during the previous month, and 9.3% had total checklist scores suggestive of PTSD. A significant regression analysis revealed that higher PTSD scores were associated with drinking alcohol more frequently to deal with stress, admitting more frequently one could not deal with stress and not trying to do so, lower social support, getting angry and letting emotions out more frequently, lower resilience, and finding comfort in one's religious beliefs. Given the proportions of CSIs that experience exposure‐related stress, more should be done to mitigate the prevalence and severity of these symptoms.     

关于精神障碍者犯罪及受审问题的探讨

当今社会,精神疾患比率越来越高,精神障碍者犯罪也呈上升趋势。在侦查讯问过程中,通过犯罪嫌疑人对其犯罪的供述,分析其犯罪动机及其他们对犯罪的认识问题,来判断是否符合精神障碍者犯罪的特点,并依据法律的规定和要求对案件进行处理,是非常必要的。     

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Mental Health Law

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) took effect in 2008. This paper discusses a number of flashpoints where the CRPD will require real and significant reconsideration of English mental health and mental capacity law. The CRPD introduces a new paradigm into international disability law, relying on the social model of disability. While that is no doubt a good thing, there is as yet no clear sense as to how that is to be implemented. After providing an introduction to the Convention, the paper considers four specific areas: mental capacity law (focussing on the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act 2005), psychiatric treatment without consent, civil detention of people with mental disabilities, and mental disability in the criminal system (fitness to plead, insanity and diminished responsibility).