Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationship between neuropsychological functioning as assessed following admission to a high secure psychiatric care (HSPC) hospital and subsequent time spent in long-term segregation (LTS). Evidence from forensic populations suggests neuropsychological functioning difficulties can increase vulnerability to interpersonal violence. However, the impact of this relationship on restrictive interventions used in these settings is poorly understood.

Design/methodology/approach

This study quantitatively examined the neuropsychological profiles of 80 male HSPC patients as assessed during routine admission assessments, comparing data against any subsequent LTS duration during a one-year period, and a non-LTS control (n = 27).

Findings

Analysis found individuals who were willing and able to complete a routine neuropsychological admissions assessment spent significantly less time in LTS than those unable to complete the assessment. Performance within a test of novel problem solving (Key Search Test) was significantly worse in the LTS group than controls. Performance within a visual memory task (Immediate Recall section of the Rey Complex Figure Test) significantly correlated with LTS duration. Additional findings suggest the absence of self-reported planning difficulties as measured by a Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX) negatively correlated with LTS duration, while self-reported restlessness was positively correlated with LTS.

Practical implications

This has implications for early assessment of LTS risk and potential use of cognitive interventions to reduce the use of restrictive practices.

Originality/value

The results suggest some aspects of neuropsychological performance as assessed during admission to a HSPC hospital appear to be related to subsequent time spent in LTS.

中文翻译：

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检查在高度安全的精神病护理医院入院期间评估的神经心理功能与长期隔离的脆弱性之间的关系

目的

本文旨在研究进入高度安全的精神病护理（HSPC）医院后评估的神经心理功能与随后在长期隔离（LTS）中花费的时间之间的关系。法医人群的证据表明，神经心理学功能上的困难会增加人际暴力的脆弱性。但是，这种关系对在这些环境中使用的限制性干预措施的影响知之甚少。

设计/方法/方法

这项研究定量检查了在常规入院评估期间评估的80例男性HSPC患者的神经心理特征，将数据与一年内任何后续LTS持续时间以及非LTS对照（n = 27）进行了比较。

发现

Analysis found individuals who were willing and able to complete a routine neuropsychological admissions assessment spent significantly less time in LTS than those unable to complete the assessment. Performance within a test of novel problem solving (Key Search Test) was significantly worse in the LTS group than controls. Performance within a visual memory task (Immediate Recall section of the Rey Complex Figure Test) significantly correlated with LTS duration. Additional findings suggest the absence of self-reported planning difficulties as measured by a Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX) negatively correlated with LTS duration, while self-reported restlessness was positively correlated with LTS.

Practical implications

这对早期评估LTS风险和潜在使用认知干预措施以减少限制性实践的使用具有重要意义。

创意/价值

结果表明，在进入HSPC医院期间评估的神经心理学表现的某些方面似乎与以后在LTS中花费的时间有关。