Identification of abuse histories in a community mental health centre : the need for policies and training
Agar, Kirsty
Identification of abuse histories in a community mental health centre : the need for policies and training Agar, Kirsty; Read, John; Bush, Jean-Marie - London, UK Shadowfax Publishing; Taylor & Francis Ltd 2002
Journal of Mental Health 11(5) October 2002 : 533-543
This journal article reports the findings of a study that reviewed the medical records of 200 consecutive adult clients of a New Zealand Community Mental Health Centre with the aim of establishing whether an abuse history was routinely sought. The context for this study was set by US and UK findings of a low level of enquiry by mental health clinicians regarding abuse histories. The authors argue research shows full knowledge of a client's abuse history provides considerable advantages in treatment. The current study findings indicate that enquiry about abuse is not routinely taking place. The review established an overall child and/or adult, physical and/or sexual abuse prevalence rate of 46% for the sample. However, only approximately half this abuse was identified for current admissions. The study found that assessments that used a form with a specific section relating to abuse history indentified a significantly higher prevalence rate use of those without this section. Recommendation are made relating to the need for policies to ensure routine abuse screening in standard admissions procedures, and for the provision of training for clinicians in how and when to ask clients about abuse and how to respond.
0963-8237 (print) 1360-0567 (online)
CHILD NEGLECT
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
DEMOGRAPHICS
INTERVENTION
MENTAL HEALTH
POLICY
STATISTICS
TREATMENT
PREVENTION
CHILD ABUSE
SEXUAL VIOLENCE
NEW ZEALAND
Identification of abuse histories in a community mental health centre : the need for policies and training Agar, Kirsty; Read, John; Bush, Jean-Marie - London, UK Shadowfax Publishing; Taylor & Francis Ltd 2002
Journal of Mental Health 11(5) October 2002 : 533-543
This journal article reports the findings of a study that reviewed the medical records of 200 consecutive adult clients of a New Zealand Community Mental Health Centre with the aim of establishing whether an abuse history was routinely sought. The context for this study was set by US and UK findings of a low level of enquiry by mental health clinicians regarding abuse histories. The authors argue research shows full knowledge of a client's abuse history provides considerable advantages in treatment. The current study findings indicate that enquiry about abuse is not routinely taking place. The review established an overall child and/or adult, physical and/or sexual abuse prevalence rate of 46% for the sample. However, only approximately half this abuse was identified for current admissions. The study found that assessments that used a form with a specific section relating to abuse history indentified a significantly higher prevalence rate use of those without this section. Recommendation are made relating to the need for policies to ensure routine abuse screening in standard admissions procedures, and for the provision of training for clinicians in how and when to ask clients about abuse and how to respond.
0963-8237 (print) 1360-0567 (online)
CHILD NEGLECT
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
DEMOGRAPHICS
INTERVENTION
MENTAL HEALTH
POLICY
STATISTICS
TREATMENT
PREVENTION
CHILD ABUSE
SEXUAL VIOLENCE
NEW ZEALAND