Chapter 22 in 'The Wiley Handbook on What Works with Girls and Women in Conflict with the Law: A Critical Review of Theory, Practice, and Policy'. This chapter discusses the nature and scope of mental health problems among justice-involved females with a focus on internalizing mental disorders. It summarizes the literature into trauma history and mental illness as explanatory factors for offending behavior in females, followed by a discussion of internalizing mental disorders, more specifically post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depressive disorders, and on related symptomatology like self-injury behaviors. The relationship between trauma history and offending is mediated by mental health problems. The chapter provides several clinical case examples to illustrate the role serious mental health problems may have in violent offending behavior and the often complex needs of justice-involved females with mental health problems. It presents some recommendations regarding assessment and treatment responsive to gender differences for practitioners in the forensic field. Both justice-involved females and males who enter prison treatment programs or forensic mental health services have complex backgrounds with high rates of victimization and complex psychiatric problems.
Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of intensive care unit (ICU)–initiated transitional care interventions for patients and families on elements of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) and/or PICS-family (PICS–F). Review method used: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis Sources: The authors searched in biomedical bibliographic databases including PubMed, Embase (OVID), CINAHL Plus (EBSCO), Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library and included studies written in English conducted up to October 8, 2020. Review methods: We included (non)randomised controlled trials focussing on ICU-initiated transitional care interventions for patients and families. Two authors conducted selection, quality assessment, and data extraction and synthesis independently. Outcomes were described using the three elements of PICS, which were categorised into (i) physical impairments (pulmonary, neuromuscular, and physical function), (ii) cognitive impairments (executive function, memory, attention, visuo-spatial and mental processing speed), and (iii) psychological health (anxiety, depression, acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression). Results: From the initially identified 5052 articles, five studies were included (i.e., two randomised controlled trials and three nonrandomised controlled trials) with varied transitional care interventions. Quality among the studies differs from moderate to high risk of bias. Evidence from the studies shows no significant differences in favour of transitional care interventions on physical or psychological aspects of PICS-(F). One study with a nurse-led structured follow-up program showed a significant difference in physical function at 3 months. Conclusions: Our review revealed that there is a paucity of research about the effectiveness of transitional care interventions for ICU patients with PICS. All, except one of the identified studies, failed to show a significant effect on the elements of PICS. However, these results should be interpreted with caution owing to variety and scarcity of data. Prospero registration: CRD42020136589 (available via https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020136589).
BACKGROUND: Itching (pruritus) following burns is a well-known clinical problem. However, there are no long-term prospective studies that document the course and the extent of the problem. Studies on risk factors are anecdotal.OBJECTIVES: To study self-reported itching in a multicentre cohort among adults with burns at 3, 12 and 24 months postburn. Further, to examine psychological and injury characteristics in relation to itching at these three points in time.METHODS: Itching was assessed as part of a self-report scar complaint list in a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Injury characteristics, demographics and self-reported post-traumatic stress symptoms were examined as possible risk factors in three linear regression models.RESULTS: A total of 510 persons participated. The reported prevalence rates of mild to severe itching were as high as 87%, 70% and 67% at the three respective points in time. Significant predictors of itching at all three points in time were deep dermal injury and early post-traumatic stress symptoms. Along with these, total burned surface area and female gender were predictors at 3 months postburn.CONCLUSIONS: Itching remains a significant problem over a 2-year period. Individuals having undergone surgical procedures and experiencing early post-traumatic distress are more likely to suffer from long-term and persistent itching. Implications regarding practice and research are discussed.
