Editorial

Citation

Ireland, C. and Gredecki, N. (2016), "Editorial", The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 18 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-07-2015-0040

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Journal of Forensic Practice, Volume 18, Issue 1.

The first paper in this issue is an invited one by Blatch and colleagues. This is an excellent study examining the reconviction outcomes for 2,882 male and female offenders who present with substance abuse and criminogenic needs, and who undertook the Getting SMART and/or the SMART Recovery® programs in New South Wales. Such a rigorous evaluation is noted to be the first of its kind for this intervention. Their findings note that participation was significantly associated with improved odds of time to first reconviction by 8 per cent and to first violent reconviction by 13 per cent, compared to controls. This paper is a good example as to the value of control groups. They offer well-developed and considered arguments in terms of the benefits of their research by suggesting best practice for treating the high risk offender.

The next paper in this issue is a provisional study by Varnaseri and colleagues, exploring development factors and emotionally unstable characteristics in a male forensic sample. They specifically examine issues relating to abuse, schema and attachment, making links to autobiographical memory. Their findings note that entitlement/grandiosity schema appears to mediate the relationship between emotional/physical abuse and neglect. They discuss their findings in line with attachment literature, and argue effectively the importance of incorporating the mediators noted in their study to clinical formulation, intervention and ward practices.

Following this, and fitting nicely with the previous papers argument in regard to case formulation, is the study of McMurran and Bruford. Here they explore a revision of the case formulation quality checklist in a forensic population, using a qualitative methodology when exploring the views of professionals using this tool. They note a range of themes, including the importance of assessing quality in case formulation and the practicality of its use. Ultimately this led to a revision of the tool as part of their study, and where they argue the value in training and supervising clinicians in constructing case formulations.

This is neatly followed by another qualitative paper, that of Fawcett and Shrestha, and where they re-direct the focus to victims. This is a very well-considered examination of the role of blogging (writing online weblogs) in facilitating healing in victims following sexual assault. It offers some excellent considerations in terms of the benefit and how this area could be progressed. They noted three themes from their research: the aftermath of abuse, the need for support and helping others. This was an innovative and interesting piece that argues the value of blogging in the recovery of victims.

The focus of this issue then moves towards forensic professionals, with two papers by Johnson and colleagues. The first looks at the impact of forensic work on homelife, looking at a sample of mental health professionals. They note that emotional labour was associated with lower levels of work-home conflict, and the perception that the organisation supports the separation of work and home is sufficient in improving the conflict that can occur between the two. They argue the importance of support within the work environment as a method of reducing work-home conflict, with a safe environment to discuss anxieties and concerns. This is a timely and considered piece.

This is then followed by a study exploring the relationship between trust and burnout amongst mental health professionals, again within a forensic psychiatric setting. Results note a higher tendency to trust was predictive of personal accomplishment and a lower level of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. They further noted a higher level of boundary violations in those professionals that had lower levels of perceived trust and cooperative behaviours among colleagues, and increased depersonalisation. Their results are carefully discussed in terms of the fostering of trust within teams as an effective strategy to reduce the development of burnout.

The final paper in this issue is by Shafiq and colleagues, looking at what is predictive of punitive attitudes amongst police officers. This considered a range of variables, such as coping styles, mental health, rank and age. Their findings note that indirect coping strategies, high levels of mental health difficulties and high rank were all associated with more punitive attitudes, whilst age had no impact. They skilfully argue a number of implications and application to real world. For instance, they argue the importance of how the above can impact on job performance, community safety, approaches to policing and the well-being of police officers. They further argue that their findings imply that mental well-being and direct coping styles may serve as a protective factor against the development of punitive attitudes.

Carol Ireland and Neil Gredecki