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Social problem solving in mentally disordered offenders: a brief report
Author(s) -
McMurran Mary,
Egan Vincent,
Richardson Cathryn,
Ahmadi Shahla
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
criminal behaviour and mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1471-2857
pISSN - 0957-9664
DOI - 10.1002/cbm.329
Subject(s) - psychology , social issues , psychiatry , criminology , political science , law
Background Social problem‐solving deficits may be implicated in the development and maintenance of aggression and violence. Social problem‐solving skills training is, therefore, an important intervention to address this issue. Method A measure of social problem solving, the Social Problem‐Solving Inventory–Revised, was given to 52 patients from a secure psychiatric unit. A pilot social problem‐solving intervention, based on the work of D'Zurilla and colleagues, was given to nine mentally disordered offenders. Results The patients in the secure unit did not differ, on the scale, from the norms established for adult psychiatric patients. The nine patients who participated in the pilot study showed improvements on the overall SPSI‐R score and two subscales–reduced negative problem orientation (NPO) and reduced impulsivity/carelessness (ICS). Conclusion The positive changes indicate that social problem‐solving skills training may be of value with mentally disordered offenders. Copyright © 1999 Whurr Publishers Ltd.