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Social problem solving in mentally disordered offenders: a brief report

1999; Wiley; Volume: 9; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/cbm.329

1471-2857

Mary McMurran, Vincent Egan, C. A. Richardson, Shahla Ahmadi,

Educational and Psychological Assessments

Abstract 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.