What Is so Special about Forensic Psychiatric Professionals? <i>Towards a Definition of Forensic Vigilance in Forensic Psychiatry</i>

Clercx, Maartje; Vos, Maarten; Nijman, Henk; Didden, H.C.M.

doi:10.1080/24732850.2020.1847569

Cited by 5 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…These findings can be of interest to clinical practice in several ways. First, it is recommended that a training on forensic vigilance is developed, since the construct seems central to working in the field of forensic mental health (Clercx et al, 2021) The finding that personality traits influence variance in forensic vigilance could inspire forensic mental health institutions to give (more) attention to the personality of the individual professionals. One could, for example, include personality testing in the hiring process and base hiring decisions on the outcome.…”

Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

“…It requires a manner of thinking which connects professional knowledge (e.g. knowledge about mental disorders and their relation to offending behavior), knowledge of the criminal history of individual patients, observations of one's surroundings and "gut feelings" and weigh them in a manner specific to the forensic context and the ability to communicate about this process (Clercx et al, 2021). Clercx et al (2021, p. 14) named this specialty "forensic vigilance" and defined it as: Forensic vigilance is anticipating on possible escalation of a situation before it happens by actively observing your surroundings and colleagues, and knowing when an observation requires action.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is being able to recognize even subtle signs of possible escalation, the capacity to communicate with colleagues about observations, doubt, uncertainty or gut feelings, and the willingness to act when necessary. Clercx et al (2021) also identified elements which are part of the construct of forensic vigilance according to forensic mental health-care professionals. However, it is still unclear if and which professional and individual factors are associated with forensic vigilance and if and how forensic vigilance is related to job stress and burnout symptoms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Relationship between forensic vigilance and personality traits, work experience, burnout symptoms, workplace stress and satisfaction in forensic mental healthcare professionals

Clercx

Vos

Craig

et al. 2023

JFP

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Purpose Forensic mental health care is a unique field that poses complex demands on professionals. Forensic vigilance is a hypothesized specialty of forensic mental health professionals, allowing them to meet the complex demands of working in forensic settings. Forensic vigilance consists of theoretical and experiential knowledge of mental disorders, theory of offending behavior, the criminal history of patients and environmental observations and clinical judgment. Although this concept has only been recently described and defined, it is still unknown which professional and individual factors are related to forensic vigilance, and if forensic vigilance is related to job stress and burnout symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between forensic vigilance and several professional and individual factors. Design/methodology/approach The current study investigated whether forensic vigilance is predicted by years of work experience and the Big Five personality traits by means of an online survey among forensic mental health professionals and whether forensic vigilance is associated with work-related stress, burnout and workplace satisfaction. Findings The 283 forensic mental health professionals who responded to the survey indicated that forensic work experience, but not general experience, positively predicted forensic vigilance. Forensic vigilance was negatively associated with Neuroticism and positively associated with Openness to experience and Conscientiousness. Forensic vigilance did not predict work-related stress, burnout symptoms and workplace satisfaction. Personal accomplishment was positively related to forensic vigilance. Practical implications Findings of the present study increase the understanding of the construct of forensic vigilance. The findings presented here highlight the importance of differences between professionals in terms of experience and personality. Training programs should capitalize on experience, while taking personality differences in consideration. Personality differences are relevant in hiring policies and team composition. Finally, to reduce workplace-related stress and burnout symptoms, institutions should consider known factors that influence work-related symptoms (e.g. experienced autonomy) rather than forensic vigilance. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study represents the first effort to study forensic vigilance in relation to personality, work experience and experienced workplace-related stress and satisfaction.

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Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Relationship between forensic vigilance and personality traits, work experience, burnout symptoms, workplace stress and satisfaction in forensic mental healthcare professionals

Clercx

Vos

Craig

et al. 2023

JFP

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“…The aim of the current study is to develop a tool to estimate forensic vigilance and investigated its psychometric properties. The tool consisted of 15 items, which were identified as being relevant from Clercx et al (2021) study. Based on the results of Clercx et al (2021), the experimental hypothesis is that the scale will produce good internal consistency and at least good split-half reliability and test-retest reliability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, this construct lacked a definition and supporting scientific research. Though internationally, the specific term “forensic vigilance” is new and was first coined in the paper by Clercx et al (2021), the construct that is indicated with this terminology is not new. The existence of a distinct specialty has been described elsewhere by several scholars (Jae-Woo and Hae-Jin, 2021; Romain-Glassey et al , 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic vigilance in forensic professionals: development, reliability and factor structure of the forensic vigilance estimate

Clercx

Didden

Craig

et al. 2022

JFP

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Purpose Forensic vigilance is a central competency that forensic professionals need to meet the complex demands of working in forensic settings. Until recently, no instrument for forensic vigilance was available. This study aims to develop a self-assessment tool of forensic vigilance for individuals and teams working in forensic settings, and investigated its psychometric properties. Design/methodology/approach The Forensic Vigilance Estimate (FVE) was presented to 367 forensic psychiatric professionals and 94 non-forensic psychiatric professionals by means of an online survey. Professionals rated themselves on 15 aspects of forensic vigilance. Findings The results indicated that the FVE had good psychometric properties, reflected by a good to excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α of 0.903), a good split-half reliability (0.884) and good test–retest reliability (0.809). The factor structure of the FVE was captured by a one-factor model (RMSEA 0.09, SRMR 0.05, TLI 0.91 and CFI 0.92). Proportion of explained variance was 52%. Forensic professionals scored significantly higher than non-forensic professionals on the FVE (t(459) = 3.848, p = 0.002). Practical implications These results suggest that the FVE may reliably be used for research purposes, e.g. to study the effects of targeted training or intervention or increasing work experience on forensic vigilance or to study which factors influence forensic vigilance. Originality/value This study represents the first attempt to capture forensic vigilance with a measuring instrument.

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Differences Between Clients and Professionals of Forensic and Nonforensic Flexible Assertive Community Treatment

Clercx,

van Tuijn

2023

Journal of Forensic Nursing

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Rationale Flexible assertive community treatment (FACT) has been adapted for application with clients with criminal justice involvement (forensic FACT [ForFACT]). Differences have been found between clients of ForFACT services and clients of nonforensic FACT services; however, less is known about differences in behaviors. Furthermore, because of the different guiding frameworks and goals of treatment, and the difference in clients' presenting problems, it is possible professionals also differ in terms of specialist skills they need and in areas of care they deem important. Method The current study used an online survey among professionals of ForFACT and non-ForFACT teams to gain insight into mental disorders and clients' presenting behavioral problems and to gain insight into the level of forensic vigilance needed by professionals of both services. We also gathered information pertaining to important areas of care and what both groups of professionals view as key nursing interventions. Results ForFACT clients differ from non-ForFACT clients in terms of the clients' presenting psychiatric problems. Furthermore, ForFACT professionals indicated they encounter more clients who show aggressive and (sexually) transgressive behavior. ForFACT professionals were found to score higher on forensic vigilance; however, no differences pertaining to important areas of care and key nursing interventions were found. Conclusion These findings further strengthen the notion that ForFACT clients are a different group compared with non-ForFACT clients, and professionals need different skills. Organizations could provide tailored supervision and training to ForFACT professionals.

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What Is so Special about Forensic Psychiatric Professionals? Towards a Definition of Forensic Vigilance in Forensic Psychiatry

Cited by 5 publications

References 23 publications

Relationship between forensic vigilance and personality traits, work experience, burnout symptoms, workplace stress and satisfaction in forensic mental healthcare professionals

Relationship between forensic vigilance and personality traits, work experience, burnout symptoms, workplace stress and satisfaction in forensic mental healthcare professionals

Forensic vigilance in forensic professionals: development, reliability and factor structure of the forensic vigilance estimate

Differences Between Clients and Professionals of Forensic and Nonforensic Flexible Assertive Community Treatment

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