Sailing uncharted seas without a compass: A review of interventions in forensic mental health

Dilemmas in applying strengths-based approaches in working with offenders with mental illness: A critical multidisciplinary review

“…However, statistical evidence in support of or against the basic, theoretical assumptions of the GLM is still very thin, particularly regarding the GLM-FM (Barnao & Ward, 2015). We are aware of only two empirical studies that tested the GLM in adults or youth in forensic mental health services.…”

“…In our opinion, the same holds true when applying strengths-based approaches with and for offenders with mental illness without using riskmanagement models and mental health perspectives. This does not mean that models are to be used eclectically or in 'hybrid' form as it is labelled by Barnao & Ward (2015); rather it refers to integration as described by Broekaert et al (2004Broekaert et al ( , p. 2013 2012). More research exploring the similarities and differences between these concepts is needed, in order to prevent 'loose' definitions and operationalization as has already been mentioned as a critique on the strengths-based approach in general (Rapp et al, 2005).…”

“…Consequently, the risk and psychopathology paradigm are often combined in order to address the individual's complex rehabilitation needs. However, such a blended approach is deemed problematic, as both paradigms adopt different and even conflicting values, assumptions and aims (Barnao & Ward, 2015).…”

“…A fundamental difference (which should be preserved and made explicit) relates to the different objectives of each of these disciplines (cf. Barnao & Ward, 2015;Vander Laenen, 2014). This is especially the case when working across the care-control divide.…”

“…The limited number of papers that applied the GLM to forensic mental health populations suggest that the GLM-forensic modification (GLM-FM) provides a comprehensive strength-based framework for guiding treatment planning (Robertson et al, 2011;Barnao & Ward, 2015). The GLM-FM adds 'mental illness' to the model, which may serve as an obstacle for the fulfillment of one's primary goods, while some symptoms of mental illness may also serve as inappropriate secondary goods to fulfill one's primary goods (Barnao et al, 2010).…”