Relationship between the social and demographic characteristics of post-sentence offenders and the outcomes of forensic psychiatric referrals

J Clin Psychol. 1984 Jan;40(1):309-22. doi: 10.1002/1097-4679(198401)40:1<309::aid-jclp2270400158>3.0.co;2-g.

Abstract

Examined the relationship between the social and demographic characteristics of post-sentence offenders (N = 240) and outcome of outpatient forensic psychiatric referrals using multiple regression analysis. The referral process was divided into three stages: Decision to refer, compliance with referral, and outcome of referral, and the following research questions were explored: (1) whether there were differences between the social and demographic characteristics of offenders who were referred by court order of the sentencing judge and those referred by their probation officer; (2) the the relationship between socioeconomic status and completion of referral; (3) the relationship between socioeconomic status and recommendation for further mental health services; and (4) the relationship between source of referral and recommendation for mental health services. Results suggest that the relationship between social and demographic variables and the offender's interaction with a forensic mental health system is markedly different from the voluntary clients and mental health resources studied in earlier research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aftercare / psychology
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / therapy
  • Crime
  • Female
  • Forensic Psychiatry*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Patient Compliance
  • Prisoners / psychology*
  • Referral and Consultation*
  • Social Environment*
  • Socioeconomic Factors