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Biomedical subjects

Merrill Rotter

Publications and source records attributed to Merrill Rotter.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Structured Assessment of Correctional Adaptation (SACA): a measure of the impact of incarceration on the mentally ill in a therapeutic setting.

Clinicians have observed that psychiatric patients with correctional histories evidence attitudes and behaviors that seem adaptive in penal environments but are maladaptive in mental health settings. This study sought to assess the reliability and concurrent validity of a rating scale designed to measure correctional adaptation using a sample of 64 patients from a state psychiatric hospital. Scale ratings were obtained through structured interviews, whereas predictor variables were gleaned from chart review and self-report. The scale demonstrated good interrater reliability (ICC = .83) and acceptable internal consistency (alpha= .67). Of the variables evaluated, two were significantly correlated with Structured Assessment of Correctional Adaptation (SACA) total scores, total months sentenced to prison or jail (r = .26), and frequency of disciplinary tickets while in prison or jail (r = .31). Stepwise regression analyses revealed only the latter variable significantly predicted SACA score (R = .31), F(1, 58) = 6.27, p < .05. Clinical implications of these findings, the scale, and the construct of correctional adaptation are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2005

Commentary: general residency training--the first forensic stage.

Training in Forensic Psychiatry, as described by Dr. Pinals, requires the gaining of knowledge, expertise, and confidence as part of a process of professional transformation and identification with a new psychiatric role. Training in General Psychiatry does, however, include placing the resident in situations and roles that are either formally forensic in nature, or at least, forensic-like. We will argue that these experiences from general training can be used by forensic supervisors to help ease the resident into the forensic role by building on the resident's existing expertise and making the forensic environment less foreign.

Achievement↗
PubMed2002

Personality disorders in prison: aren't they all antisocial?

The provision of mental health services in the correctional system is challenging at best for various clinical, administrative, and structural reasons. Among the complicating factors is the assessment and management of character pathology which either confounds the treatment of more "serious" mental illnesses, e.g. Axis I disorders, and/or presents itself as the primary focus for intervention. In this paper we review the prevalence of personality disorders on the prison mental health services caseload in New York State. We compare inpatient and out-patient rates among the various disorders documented in the prison system, as well as look at these rates within the context of the rates of personality disorder in the state mental health system generally. Assessment of personality disorder will be addressed with particular attention to the confounding influence of the prison environment. Finally, treatment options will be discussed, including discussion of new initiatives that attempt to address inmates with serious mental illness and personality traits that lead to disciplinary housing.

Adult↗