Mental Violence Research Articles

VIOLENCE AS A CRIMINAL-LEGAL CATEGORY

ANNOTATION: Introduction. The article analyzes the concept of violence as a criminal-legal category. Violence is a sign of criminal offenses that occur in different sections of the Special Part. At the same time, it has common features that should be taken into account in each specific case of committing criminal offenses with signs of violence. Summary of the main research results. In order to understand the concept of "violence" various approaches were considered. It is proved that the criminal-legal concept "violence" should be understood taking into account the generally accepted and philosophical meaning of this concept. It should be remembered that the criminal-legal meaning of the concept "violence" is much wider than defined in the norms of law and provide the liability for criminal offenses related to the use of violence. It was emphasized that violence has two main types: physical and mental violence. Although the legislation also specifies some other types. The author defines its main criminal-legal features. In particular: it is always illegal (protection from illegal actions of employees cannot be attributed to violence); such actions are always committed intentionally; they are characterized by two forms: physical violence and mental violence. Conclusions. Violence in criminal law is a criminal encroachment on the personal safety of a man in the form of intentional unlawful infliction of physical or mental harm to the victim contrary to (against or outside) their will by means of energetical (physical) or informational (mental) influence on the body (organs, flesh, physiological functions, mental state) of a person.

Homicide associated with psychotic illness: What global temporal trends tell us about the association between mental illness and violence.

Available evidence suggests that persons with serious forms of mental illness are 4-10 times more likely to commit homicide as compared to non-affected members of the general population. The relationship between homicide and psychotic illness has now been subject to longitudinal investigation in six different populations across eight studies covering time periods over the last six decades. With the exception of one study, these investigations demonstrate that homicide associated with psychotic illness appears relatively stable through time and, in most populations, is not related to factors that contribute to the rise and fall of total population homicide (TPH) rates. This suggests that illness and treatment factors are of most importance if we are to reduce the prevalence of this tragic illness complication.

Examining adolescent maltreatment and connections to school engagement

This article examines how maltreatment experienced by adolescents is related to school engagement. Maltreatment includes physical, mental, and sexual violence along with sexual harassment, neglect, and witnessing domestic violence. School engagement refers to the students’ relationship to all activities in the school. It describes students’ thoughts, activities and participation as well as their emotions in relation to school. Analysis is based on the Finnish School Health Promotion data ( N = 155,299) and analyzed by linear regression analysis. Results indicate that adolescents’ maltreatment experiences are related to school engagement, regardless of gender, age, family structure, or immigrant background. Maltreatment increases functional engagement and decreases emotional and cognitive engagement. These results thus confirm that maltreatment can also cause immersion in schoolwork. The results can be used to prevent lower school engagement and maltreatment of adolescents.

Interrelationships of Economic Stressors, Mental Health Problems, Substance Use, and Intimate Partner Violence among Hispanic Emergency Department Patients: The Role of Language-Based Acculturation.

We analyzed the interrelationships of economic stressors, mental health problems, substance use, and intimate partner violence (IPV) among a sample of Hispanic emergency department patients and probed if Spanish language preference, which may represent low acculturation and/or immigrant status, had a protective effect, in accordance with the Hispanic health paradox. Study participants (n = 520; 50% female; 71% Spanish speakers) provided cross-sectional survey data. Gender-stratified logistic regression models were estimated for mental health problems (PTSD, anxiety, depression), substance use (risky drinking, cannabis, illicit drug use), and IPV. Results showed that economic stressors were linked with mental health problems among men and women. Among men, PTSD was associated with greater odds of cannabis and illicit drug use. Men who used cannabis and illicit drugs were more likely to report IPV. Male Spanish speakers had lower odds of anxiety and cannabis use than English speakers. Female Spanish speakers had lower odds of substance use and IPV than English speakers. The protective effect of Spanish language preference on some mental health, substance use, and IPV outcomes was more pronounced among women. Future research should identify the mechanisms that underlie the protective effect of Spanish language preference and explore factors that contribute to the observed gender differences.

Case series: Psychosocial challenges of female youth within the Irish Travelling community.

The Irish Travelling community are an ethnic minority group known for their distinct identity, traditions and language. Although this group has its roots in Ireland, they are marginalised and discriminated against by every part of Irish society. Irish Travellers are a group who are vulnerable to exclusion and experience health, economic and educational inequalities. Young female Irish Travellers in Ireland are highly susceptible to mental illnesses which makes the engagement of this ethnic group by healthcare services important. To review the cases of three female adolescents from the Irish Travelling community living in Ireland with a focus on their psycho-social difficulties. Complete a literature review, to complement and inform the three cases reviewed, on the socio-cultural and mental health challenges which effect adolescent females in the Irish Travelling community. Case series with literature search and review of relevant published articles using a keyword search of databases PubMed, PsycINFO and HSE protocols and reports. Hand searching of relevant references utilised. Informed signed consent obtained from each patient attending child and adolescent services in Ireland. Signed parental consent also obtained. Written consent obtained due to the use of patient history and assessments in the case series. Adolescent females within the Irish Travelling community encounter particular difficulties within the moral constraints and expectations of this community. They encounter specific issues including mental illness, sexual stigma, domestic violence and limitations to the role of women. The three cases outlined give representative examples of the challenges faced by adolescent females within the Travelling community. Psychiatric services need to be aware of this vulnerable group and focus on the recognition of their needs within the context of their community.

Model of safe social behavior of preschool children in an inclusive educational environment

Introduction. The article is devoted to the analysis of the problem of psychological and social safety of children attending inclusive groups of preschool educational organizations. The risks of inclusive education are associated with the threat of various forms of mental violence from peers. A preschool educational organization is faced with the task of ensuring the psychological safety of educational subjects, including the formation of skills for safe social behavior and interaction in an inclusive environment.Materials and Methods. The following methods were used for the preparation of this article; theoretical analysis of Russian and international literature, study of scientific articles and publications on the topic, overview of results from Russian and international studies, content analysis.Results. Approaches to determining the content of the category of safe social behavior and its various aspects are considered: social norms, psychological stability, communication and communication, spiritual and moral qualities and moral norms, prosocial behavior, interpersonal relationships and interaction. The personal constructs of safe social behavior of preschool children in an inclusive educational environment are identified: need-motivational (setting social norms, trust in the world, social tolerance); emotional-volitional (ability to empathy, low anxiety, coping behavior); cognitive-cognitive (knowledge of the behavior of children with developmental disabilities; ability to choose constructive ways to solve problem situations); interpersonal-social (communication skills, desire for cooperation, kindness, help).Discussion and Conclusions. The conducted theoretical research allowed us to build a model that includes both the structure of safe social behavior of preschool children in an inclusive educational environment, and risk factors for socially dangerous behavior of preschoolers. It is concluded that it is necessary to implement psychological and pedagogical support for inclusive preschool education, which ensures the psychological safety of children with developmental disabilities by developing the skills of safe social interaction among peers with normative development, meeting their needs for personal and trusting communication, as well as gaining a sense of psychosocial well-being and reference significance.

Classification of Violence as a Method of Committing a Criminal Offense

The article deals with the analysis of the content of violence as a method of committing a criminal offense. The use of violence is often a constructive feature of the criminal offenses composition, which allows differentiating a criminal liability for the criminal offenses. The legislator in the construction of some compositions of criminal offenses directly uses the term «violence» or uses terms, which demonstrate a violent nature of the act or which indicate the consequences of a criminal act. One legally significant classification of violence as a method of committing a criminal offense are given by author — on the subject of violent influence: 1) physical violence that affects the human organism (body, internal organs); 2) mental violence, which affects the human psyche. The content of the concepts of «domestic violence», «economic violence», «psychological violence», «sexual violence», which were introduced in the legislation on criminal liability, is considered. The term «domestic violence» indicates specific subjects to whom it may be used, but does not show any special features compared to physical or mental violence. Sexual violence occurs in the area of sexual relations, but can also be either physical or mental. Economic violence goes beyond the traditional understanding of «violence». According to author in this context it is more appropriate to use the term «economic discrimination». It is stated that in the legislation instead of the term «psychological violence» it is more appropriate to use the term «mental violence». Scientific positions on the application by the legislator of the concepts «violence that is dangerous to the life or health of the victim» and «violence that is not dangerous to the life or health of the victim» are given. It is emphasized that the division of violence by the nature and degree of public danger (violence that is dangerous to the life or health of the victim; violence that is not dangerous to the life or health of the victim) is seen in context of consequences, not the method of committing a criminal offense.

Project20: interpreter services for pregnant women with social risk factors in England: what works, for whom, in what circumstances, and how?

BackgroundBlack and minority ethnic women and those with social risk factors such as deprivation, refugee and asylum seeker status, homelessness, mental health issues and domestic violence are at a disproportionate risk of poor birth outcomes. Language barriers further exacerbate this risk, with women struggling to access, engage with maternity services and communicate concerns to healthcare professionals. To address the language barrier, many UK maternity services offer telephone interpreter services. This study explores whether or not women with social risk factors find these interpreter services acceptable, accessible and safe, and to suggest solutions to address challenges.MethodsRealist methodology was used to refine previously constructed programme theories about how women with language barriers access and experience interpreter services during their maternity care. Twenty-one longitudinal interviews were undertaken during pregnancy and the postnatal period with eight non-English speaking women and their family members. Interviews were analysed using thematic framework analysis to confirm, refute or refine the programme theories and identify specific contexts, mechanisms and outcomes relating to interpreter services.ResultsWomen with language barriers described difficulties accessing maternity services, a lack of choice of interpreter, suspicion around the level of confidentiality interpreter services provide, and questioned how well professional interpreters were able to interpret what they were trying to relay to the healthcare professional during appointments. This resulted in many women preferring to use a known and trusted family member or friend to interpret for them where possible. Their insights provide detailed insight into how poor-quality interpreter services impact on their ability to disclose risk factors and communicate concerns effectively with their healthcare providers. A refined programme theory puts forward mechanisms to improve their experiences and safety such as regulated, high-quality interpreter services throughout their maternity care, in which women have choice, trust and confidence.ConclusionsThe findings of this study contribute to concerns highlighted in previous literature around interpreter services in the wider healthcare arena, particularly around the lack of regulation and access to high-quality interpretation. This is thought to have a significant effect on pregnant women who are living socially complex lives as they are not able to communicate their concerns and access support. This not only impacts on their safety and pregnancy outcomes, but also their wider holistic needs. The refined program theory developed in this study offers insights into the mechanisms of equitable access to appropriate interpreter services for pregnant women with language barriers.

Multimorbidity and polyvictimization in children — An analysis on the association of children's disabilities and long-term illnesses with mental violence and physical violence

BackgroundChildren's disabilities and long-term illnesses (DLTIs) are a significant risk factor in the development of maltreatment. ObjectiveThe study is focused on the association of children's DLTIs with child maltreatment and poly-victimization perpetrated by parents. Participants and settingThe study is based on a 2013 Child Victim Survey (N = 11,364), which is a cross-sectional survey. This nationally representative survey focused on the life situation of Finnish children aged 12–17 years, as well as on experiences of violence, crime, and bullying. MethodsMultinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association of children's DLTIs and child maltreatment. ResultsPoly-victimization played a significant role in child maltreatment. Children's hearing impairment (OR 5.68, 95% Cl 2.25–14.35), physical disability (OR 3.32, 95% Cl 1.61–6.88), and mental health problems (OR 4.37, 95% Cl 1.63–11.72) increased the odds of poly-victimization more than other forms of abuse. The situation was similar with both somatic diseases (OR 1.59, 95% Cl 1.14–2.21) and psychiatric illnesses (OR 2.12, 95% Cl 1.36–2.47) in children. Further, somatic and psychiatric multimorbidity in children increased the odds of poly-victimization (OR 4.17, 95% Cl 2.25–7.75) slightly more than risk of physical abuse (OR 3.57, 95% 1.11–11.49). As control variables, child's gender and age, the family financial situation, and the parent's intimate partner violence were adjusted in all of the analyses. ConclusionClinical professionals should consider children's multimorbidity as a potential risk factor of maltreatment. The results of the study can be used to support families and children with DLTIs.

Exploring Perceptions of Elementary School Teachers on the Importance of School-Based Life Skills Education. A Case Study

There is an unusual increase in the cases of child abuse, early marriages, suicide, physical and mental violence causing a large number of school dropouts in elementary classes. This calls for the requirement to investigate or evaluate the perceptions of teachers about life skills education in public sector elementary schools. The study was conducted using qualitative interviews from twelve teachers of two public schools where life skill education is being taught. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that teachers are aware and have a positive attitude towards life skills education. This study will contribute to raising awareness.T

Психологические показатели безопасного социального поведения дошкольников в инклюзивной образовательной среде

The purpose of the research presented in the article is to identify and empirically substantiate the psychological indicators of safe social behavior of preschool children in an inclusive educational environment. The relevance of the study is connected with the need to prevent the risks of inclusive education associated with the manifestations of various forms of mental and physical violence against children with developmental disabilities from their peers. Presumably, the safe social behavior of children is determined by the following personal constructs: need-motivational, emotional-volitional, cognitive-cognitive, interpersonal-social ones. To confirm the theoretical model, an empirical study was conducted on the basis of an inclusive preschool educational organization in Shuya (N = 46, from 5 to 7 years old, girls-56%) using a set of psychodiagnostic tools: “Diagnostics of tolerance in preschool children in relation to peers with disabilities” (A. S. Sirotyuk, in the author’s modification); to fix the parameters of anxiety of a preschool child, the projective test of R. Temml, M. Dorka, V. Amen was used; the method of drawing frustration of S. Rosenzweig (modification of T. D. Marcinkovskaya, in the author’s interpretation); “The degree of involvement of older preschoolers in the game interaction with their peers” (S. G. Elizarov, modification of S. S. Zhuravleva); the drawing projective method “I am in kindergarten” (M. Bykova, in the author’s interpretation). It is established that the formation of psychological indicators of safe social behavior of preschool children is mainly at low or medium levels. It is shown that predictors of psychological well-being of preschool children in an inclusive educational environment, which is an integral indicator of safe social behavior, are indicators of social tolerance towards peers with developmental disabilities, empathy, readiness for mutual assistance, non-conflict, low anxiety, and involvement in game interaction. The obtained data should be taken into account when implementing inclusive education programs in preschool organizations.

Pilot trial of a media intervention with journalism students on news reporting of mental illness in the context of violence and crime

News reports linking mental illness to violent crime are among the most stigmatising portrayals. These portrayals can perpetuate stereotypes of dangerousness, negatively influencing public attitudes and having a harmful impact on people with lived experience of mental illness. With the aim of improving the quality of news portrayals and mitigating harm, best-practice guidelines for media reporting on mental illness, violence and crime have been developed. To increase understanding of the guidelines' content, a 1-hour workshop based on the main principles was developed for journalism students. In this study, the workshop was piloted with a pre and 3-week follow-up evaluation with a cohort of journalism students (n=29). Three weeks after the workshop, there were significant improvements in attitudes towards severe mental illness, knowledge of best-practice reporting, intentions and confidence to report consistently with the best-practice guidelines and performance on an editing task designed to assess adherence to the guidelines. Belief in dangerousness/unpredictability reduced markedly, demonstrating that the workshop effectively addressed misinformation about people with severe mental illness being a risk to the public. This pilot trial provides promising initial results and provides a basis for wider implementation and evaluation of media training on this topic. Improved understanding of best-practice media guidelines, as generated through this workshop, has potential to reduce stigmatising news reporting on people with mental illness, and consequently reduce public stigma.

What constitutes a high-quality child custody evaluation? A qualitative analysis

Eleven highly experienced Australian professionals (psychologists, family lawyers, and judges) were interviewed regarding Single Expert Reports (also known as a Child Custody Evaluation CCE) written by psychologists. A semi-structured interview explored their opinion about the role of and weight afforded to the CCE; the value of psychologists as Single Experts (evaluators), what makes a CCE helpful or unhelpful where there are allegations of mental illness, alienation, family violence and sexual abuse; the inclusion of formal risk assessments in reports; and how psychologists could improve the quality of CCEs. Thematic Analysis was used to capture emergent themes from the data. Four major themes were identified. The first three themes explain what components make for a high-quality report: (1) Thoroughness, (2) Transparency and (3) a Pathway Forward. The fourth theme was informed by the first three themes, in that if the above components were done to a high standard, the overall CCE could be given more weight, and be of greater (4) Assistance to the Court. Findings add depth to previous survey data, confirm the essential components of a CCE that make it helpful in family law proceedings, and provide clarification about how psychologists can improve the quality and consistency of CCEs.

WITHDRAWN: Cognitive models of psychological disorders and violence in children

There is a close relationship between physical fitness and mental wellbeing. However, there is no knowledge of the mechanisms. Researchers examine in therapy, through behavioural decisions and social power, the overt and unintentional impact of previous mental wellbeing on current physical and aforementioned medical conditions. Researchers use evidence from the English Longitudinal Analysis of Mortality on 10,683 people ten years old and older. The centre for Epidemiological Research measures psychiatric health through the everyday routines, anxiety scale and personal functioning. A Recognizing Model to analyze children mental disorder and violence (RM-CHDV) is proposed. Researchers have significant overt and indirect impacts on all kinds of wellness, which describe 20% of past psychological effects on general wellbeing, and 18% of physical health consequences on mental wellbeing. The contributory factor to the adverse influence is physical exercise. There have been more significant implicit consequences for individuals in personal fitness in psychological health and older populations. Health strategies intended to change health and life should consider the overt interaction and the subtle interactions among health and wellbeing. People's physical fitness, psychological health, and ageing populations have been impacted more profoundly by implicit consequences. Health initiatives that aim to improve health and quality of life should take into account both the overt and the subtle relationships between health and well-being in order to be effective. • The six-point variant of everyday life behaviours built for measuring fitness levels • The information is gathered once in twenty months in meetings. • A Recognizing Model to analyze children mental disorder and violence is proposed.

Fatality Review and the Role of the Forensic Psychiatrist.

Multidisciplinary Fatality Review teams have operated for decades in the United States and across the developed world. Goals of these teams include examining individual deaths in the community to determine preventability and to make recommendations for future prevention. Fatality Review teams initially focused on child deaths but have expanded to include deaths from domestic violence, elder abuse, overdose, and maternal mortality. Case reviews include data from various agencies that have had contact with victims and perpetrators prior to the deaths. Cause of death and preventability are analyzed. Preventable deaths often include those with risk from mental illness or addiction. Recommendations made by Fatality Review teams have led to important changes for mental health services and prevention, including the Safe Haven laws for neonaticide prevention, suicide and homicide prevention, child murder prevention, firearm laws, and domestic violence screening. Fatality Review teams, which already include law enforcement and forensic pathologists, can benefit from collaboration with forensic psychiatrists because of their specialized knowledge about the intersection of mental illness and violence, should forensic psychiatrists have an opportunity to join them.

Cо-perpetrators of torture: national and convention definition framework

The article is prepared in continuation of development of author's dissertation researches. The paper reveals the peculiarities of objective and subjective features of cо-perpetration in torture (both on the basis of the provisions of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, and taking into account the provisions of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. When interpreting national criminal law norms in the light of convention provisions, the requirements of two-frame criminal law research are met. The authors' positions are supported by message from human rights organizations, decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, and theoretical modeling. The article contains the following conclusions. A co-perpetrator of torture may commit this criminal offense by his or her own actions or omissions, use another person as a “means” of committing a criminal offense, or delegate the commission of a criminal offense to another person. A co-perpetrator of torture may join in committing torture at any stage of the commission of this criminal offense. If, under the circumstances of complicity in torture, a public official or other person acting in an official capacity direct torture, he or she is the perpetrator (co-perpetrator) of the offense. If, in complicity in torture, a public official or other person acting in an official capacity creates the conditions for committing the offense, he or she should be recognized as the organizer, instigator or accomplice of the torture (depending on the role he or she has played). If, in complicity in torture, a public official or other person acting in an official capacity doesn't interfere of torture, he or she is the accomplice to torture. Not preventing torture should not be confused with the mental violence that can be used to torture. Article 1 of the 1984 Convention also covers cases of involvement in the torture of public official or other person acting in an official capacity.

Problems of criminal-legal assessment of mental violence

The article examines the problems of criminal law assessment of mental violence. The author draws attention to the fact that the current criminal legislation in some cases does not contain an adequate criminal law assessment of socially dangerous encroachment on the human psyche, limited to indications of threats, deception or abuse of trust, humiliation and dignity, which do not exhaust the meaning of «mental violence». At the same time, Articles 129 and 185 of the Criminal Code leave out a number of important points outside the legislative attention. For example, Art. 129 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine provides for liability for the threat of murder, but does not provide for liability for the threat of harm to the health of a person, if there were grounds to fear the threat, which is unlikely because the threat caused serious suffering to a person who fears not only for his life, but also for health. Article 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine limits the range of addressees of relevant threats only to the victim and his close relatives and leaves out of the sphere of protection of other persons who are close to the victim, but are not his close relatives (brides, friends). Also, the current Criminal Code does not address at the regulatory level such types of mental violence as hypnosis, suggestion, etc. methods of human manipulation (including the use of technical means), which are used to inflict various harm to the person and his interests. The author proposes to make changes and additions to the Criminal Code, which will eliminate the above gaps in the legislation. In particular, it is proposed to supplement Art. 129 of the Criminal code of Ukraine by the instruction on threat of harm to health of the person, in Art. 189 the words «close relatives» should be replaced by «close persons», and it is also proposed to supplement the Criminal Code of Ukraine with a new article, which will establish responsibility for manipulating the human psyche. Keywords: human psyche, manipulation, criminal-legal assessment.

Criminological and Criminal Law Signs of Mental Violence in Crimes Against Public Security Under the Criminal Law of Ukraine

The author examines topical aspects of specifying mental violence in the criminal legislation of Ukraine on the basis of Articles from the Section «Crimes against Public Security», namely «Banditry», «Terrorist Acts», «Intentionally False Report about a Threat to Public Security, or a Threat of Property Destruction or Damage». Special attention is paid to the empirical data collected on the basis of indicators of the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine, the guilty verdicts of the courts of Ukraine under the above-mentioned Articles. On this basis, the author specifies objective attributes of the presence of mental violence in the above-mentioned crimes, analyzes their significance and, using the cases of court verdicts, proves the presence of mental violence. Mental violence is expressed through the use of the following terminology: coercion, compulsion, involvement, threats, recruitment, use of weapons, exerting psychological pressure against the victim, threat (of explosion, arson or other actions terrorizing the population, posing danger of human death, considerable damage to property or other grave consequences). The author has analyzed and presented the percentage ratio of all crimes under consideration and, using the conducted analysis, has developed recommendations on supplementing the formal components constituting these crimes with a compulsory object of the mental health of the population. Besides, having assessed the cumulative data from the survey of police officers whose work is connected with crime investigation, the author concludes that, within the framework of crimes against public security, such criminal means as involvement and coercion are varieties of mental violence which, through psychological influence, change a person’s mentality and behavior. To improve the professional competence of investigators in the spheres of psychology, criminal law and criminology, the author suggests developing for investigators an algorithm of actions for identifying mental violence in crimes against public security.

Changes in Ed use During the Pandemic.

According to this study: Shifts in the pattern of ED visits during the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the need for mental health, substance abuse, and violence risk screening and prevention during public health crises.

THE CONCEPT OF THREAT IN THE CRIMINAL LEGISLATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

In the Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova, the concept of threat designates not a socially dangerous phenomenon, but a socially dangerous act. From this perspective, the content of the concept of threat is disclosed in this article. In the Criminal Code, the notion of threat designates the prejudicial action, committed with intent, which is one of the types of mental violence, which involves the exercise of an informational influence on the victim, which has the effect of intimidating it, which assumes that the victim is provided with information about causing her harm, which involves partial or full impairment of the victim’s ability to make decisions and express opinions. The notion of threat must be defined in Chapter XIII of the general part of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova. This definition must be abstracted from details concerning concrete crime components. This would contribute to the interpretation and application of liability for the threat in strict accordance with the principle of legality.