Developing consensus for culturally informed forensic mental health assessment
Experts' opinions on best practices
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21454873 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Amanda M Fanniff (0000-0003-1345-1364, Palo Alto University), Taylor York, Taylor M York (Palo Alto University), Renee Gutierrez (0000-0001-6025-3390, Palo Alto University) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 385-402 |
| Publication date | 2023-06-01 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Law and Human Behavior (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0147-7307 • E-ISSN: 1573-661X |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1037/lhb0000531 |
| PMID | 37326547 |
| OpenAlex | W4380867903 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
OBJECTIVE: Individuals with minoritized identities are overrepresented in legal system contexts; thus, forensic mental health professionals conduct evaluations of examinees with a diversity of identities. Professional and ethical guidelines direct that these evaluations be completed in a culturally informed manner, yet many professionals still identify a need for specific guidance on how to do so. In the present study, we sought to establish consensus regarding best practices in incorporating culture into forensic mental health evaluations. HYPOTHESES: Given the exploratory nature of this research, no formal hypotheses were tested. We expected that participants would concur that some practices are important to completing culturally informed forensic evaluations. METHOD: We recruited two samples. Nine people with joint expertise in cultural considerations and forensic evaluations participated in a Delphi-type poll. More than half reported a minoritized racial/ethnic identity, and all identified as a man (56%) or woman (44%). Experts were surveyed regarding importance (two rounds) and relevance (one round) of recommended practices. They contributed seven additional relevant practices. Twenty-one board-certified forensic psychologists completed a one-time survey of their perceptions of best practices. These psychologists primarily identified as White (90%), and most did not identify as Hispanic or Latine (80%). They all identified as men (45%) or women (55%). This sample was asked to rate the importance of a list of practices refined during the Delphi-type poll. RESULTS: The majority of practices were considered important or very important by experts and board-certified psychologists. Consensus is most clear for 28 practices with means, medians, and modes all in the "important" to "very important" range at all time points. CONCLUSIONS: There is wide agreement on the importance of particular methods for incorporating cultural considerations in each phase of the forensic evaluation process. Forensic psychologists can use this information to self-evaluate and improve their practice and to inform training. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
Best practice · Certification · Cultural diversity · Delphi method · Diversity (politics) · Medical education · Mental health · Political science · Psychiatry · Counseling Practices and Supervision · Cultural Competency in Health Care · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology
| Citations per year | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |