Readings in Psychotherapy with Older People

Policing Mentally Disordered Suspects: A Reexamination of the Criminalization Hypothesis*

“…Numerous studies have found that persons with mental disorders are overrepresented in prisons and jails, with prevalence estimates ranging from 1.8% to 22.0%, depending on how mental disorder is defined and which demographic groups are studied (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1999;Lamb and Grant, 1982;Lamb and Weinberger, 1998;Palermo et al, 1991;Steury, 1991;Teplin, 1990;Wachholz and Mullaly, 1993;Whitmer, 1980). Further, Palermo et al (1991:103) reported statistically significant overlap between mental hospital and jail populations over a 15-year period, leading them to conclude that "there may be a two-way flow of people from prison to the mental health system and back again, which indicates that many of the jail/ prison inmates may be inappropriately sentenced or held because they have incapacitating mental illnesses" (but see Steadman et al, 1984).…”

“…The term criminalization was coined by Abramson (1972) to characterize what he saw as a disproportionate number of mentally disordered misdemeanants entering the criminal justice system via arrest. Subsequent uses of the term in the literature, however, vary greatly with some researchers defining criminalization in terms of arrest, others requiring prosecution, and still others requiring incarceration in jail or prison (for review, see Steury, 1991). These differences reflect the fact that criminalization may occur at several decision points in the system (Steadman et al, 1984).…”

Brief group psychotherapy at retirement

“…The previous perception that older individuals were generally unsuitable for insight-oriented psychotherapy was questioned by Rosenthal (1959) and other authors reviewed by Rechtschaffen (1959), and was later discredited totally by Steury and Blank (1977) and Schaie (1973). Recognition has developed that problem-solving capabilities can be retained throughout life (Berland & Poggi, 1979).…”

“…In its more pathological form, the dependent, helpless position of the aging adult recapitulates that of the child. On the other hand, it can represent an adaptive defense mechanism in the service of the ego to avoid the overwhelming pain of loss and depression (Steury & Blank, 1977).…”

Group psychotherapy with older adults: The value of an expressive approach.

“…One outcome of the failure to recognize this heterogeneity may be seen in the historical and current status of psychological intervention with the elderly. Most of the available literature reports favorable outcomes of therapeutic efforts with older adults (Hartford, 1980; Myers, 1984; Parham et al, 1982; Steury & Blank, 1981), and the field has moved from preliminary assertions that therapy “works” to consideration of specific psychological disorders and comparisons of different therapeutic modalities (Fry, 1986; Steuer, 1982). Currently, individual psychotherapy is receiving systematic and consistent attention from a number of researchers and clinicians who are focusing on cognitive and behavioral therapies (Gallagher, 1987; Gallagher & Thompson, 1982; Zarit, 1980).…”