Psychological medicine
-
Psychological medicine · Nov 2007
Actuarial prediction of violent recidivism in mentally disordered offenders.
Actuarial instruments may be useful in predicting long-term violence in mentally disordered patients. We compared two instruments that differ in terms of what they are designed to predict (general versus violent recividism) and the inclusion of stable mental health variables. ⋯ The VRAG is a very good predictor of future violence in the UK sample. The OGRS may also be of value as it can be completed quickly and without the need for mental health variables. Caution is needed, however, as both instruments appeared to over-predict the levels of reconvictions in this sample.
-
Psychological medicine · Oct 2007
A nationwide US study of post-traumatic stress after hospitalization for physical injury.
Injured survivors of individual and mass trauma are at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Few investigations have assessed PTSD after injury in large samples across diverse acute care hospital settings. ⋯ Nationwide in the USA, more than 20% of injured trauma survivors have symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of PTSD 12 months after acute care in-patient hospitalization. Coordinated investigative and policy efforts could target mandates for high-quality PTSD screening and intervention in acute care medical settings.
-
Psychological medicine · Jul 2007
Income-related inequality in mental health in Britain: the concentration index approach.
Reduction of health inequalities is a major policy goal in the UK. While there is general recognition of the disadvantaged position of people with mental health problems, the extent of inequality, particularly the association with socio-economic characteristics, has not been widely studied. We aimed to measure income-related inequality in the distribution of psychiatric disorders and to compare with inequality in other health domains. ⋯ Income-related inequalities exist in mental health in Britain. As much of the observed inequality is probably due to factors associated with income and not due to the demographic composition of the income quintiles, it may be that these inequalities are potentially 'avoidable'.
-
Psychological medicine · Jun 2007
Suicide in current psychiatric in-patients: a case-control study The National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide.
Few controlled studies have investigated factors associated with suicide in current in-patients. We aimed to identify psychosocial, behavioural and clinical risk factors, including variations in care, for in-patient suicide. ⋯ Prevention of in-patient suicide should emphasize adequate treatment of affective disorder, vigilance in the first week of admission and regular risk assessments during recovery and prior to granting leave. Use of compulsory treatment may reduce risk.
-
Psychological medicine · Mar 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyCognitive self-therapy for chronic depression and anxiety: a multi-centre randomized controlled study.
Non-professional treatment programmes are presumed to relieve the extensive need for care of anxiety and depression disorders. This study investigates the effectiveness of cognitive self- therapy (CST) in the treatment of depression or generalized anxiety disorder. ⋯ Cognitive self-therapy is likely to decrease the need for care of chronic depression and anxiety disorders, but it has not been proven to be more effective than treatment as usual.