Cultural Competence in Forensic Mental Health: A Guide for Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Attorneys

The principle of cultural competence in the practice of mental health services has become commonplace among scholars, researchers, and clinicians throughout multiethnic societies around the world. This book responds to an increasing awareness of the issue within the field of forensic psychiatry, as sensitivity to and understanding of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds has become a necessity. Brought to fruition through the combined expertise of a cultural psychiatrist, a forensic psychiatrist, and a medical legal expert, this unique text is the first comprehensive look at the burgeoning field of cultural forensic psychiatry. Drawing on their combined expertise, the authors integrate forensic application with cultural theory and incorporate case vignettes and practical advice. A breakthrough text that will have international appeal across a wide range of academic and professional disciplines, this essential resource will form a cornerstone of this dynamic new field.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Culture andForensic Psychiatry. A. What is Culture? Law in various Cultures. Effects of Culture in Court. Possible Impact of Culture on the Legal Procedure and Decision. Universal Rule Versus Cultural Relativism. The Impact of Culture on Various Aspects of Forensic Psychiatry Service. The Goal, Scope and Nature of the Book. General Cultural Issues in Forensic Psychiatry Assessment. Basic Considerations for Transcultural Forensic Assessment. Special Attention Needed for Forensic Psychiatric Assessments. A Culturally Appropriate Approach to Examining Mental Status. Certain Legally-related Issues Requiring Cultural Consideration. Assessment of Malingering: Cultural Considerations. Particular Concern is Needed for Certain Populations. Psychological Testing for ForensicEvaluation. Transcultural Application of Psychological Instrument: General Issues. Conventional Psychological Tests. Specialized Forensic Assessment Instruments. Implications for Forensic Application. CulturalAspects of Psychiatric Disorders in the Forensic Context. Culture and Psychiatric Disorders: General Review. Psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorders. Schizophrenia. Delusional Disorders. Mood Disorders. Dissociation, Possession, and Multiple Personality Disorders. Substance-related Mental Disturbances. Conduct Disorder and Juvenile Delinquency. Sexual Disorders. Culture-related specific disorders. Cultural Dimensions of Various Crimes and BehavioralProblems. Spouse Abuse. Infanticide and Filicide. Child Abducting and Kidnapping. Violence Against Others. Homicide. Mass Homicide. Rape. Religion-related Wrongful Behavior. Conflict Between Religion Belief and Societal Law. Cultural Considerations in SpecificTypes of Forensic Evaluation. Cultural Input in Various Phases of the Legal Process. Culture Defense Strategy. Criminal Cases. Civil Cases. Family-related Issues. Legal Regulation of Psychiatry and MedicalPractice: Cultural Consideration. Psychiatric Care of Mentally Ill. Therapist-patient Relationship Problems. Ethic-legal Issues Relating to Medical Practice. Correctional Psychiatry: Culture-relevant Care andTreatment. General Issues. Cultural Considerations in Prison for Institutional Care. Care for Special Populations. Counseling for Offenders. CulturalAnalysis of Forensic Psychiatric Cases. Cultural Examination of Selected Landmark Cases. Analysis of Cases Using "Culture Defense". Cases that Proceeded with Input on Cultural Issues. Final Discussion and Comments. Closure: Review, Comments, andSuggestions. Review of Present Situation. Overall Cultural Comments. Suggestions for the Future. Subject Index

About the Author :
Wen-Shing Tseng, M.D. is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Society for the Study of Psychiatry and Culture and the author of the Handbook of Cultural Psychiatry. Daryl Matthews, M.D. is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Forensic Psychiatry Program at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine, and Co-Director of Training in Forensic Psychiatry at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. Todd S. Elwyn, Clinical instructor in psychiatry and fellow in forensic psychiatry at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine, USA

Review :
"Tseng, Matthews, and Elwyn have blended decades of experience and knowledge of cultural and forensic psychiatry to produce a text that is intellectually intriguing and enormously practical. The book also fills a void that has been created by the explosion of forensic psychiatry as a sub-specialty. And for the first time, forensic psychiatrists and others can turn to a brilliantly assembled reference text to read about the impact of culture on the MMPI, the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, judicial practices, forensic clinical assessments, and other principles and rituals that forensic professionals so commonly encounter. These scholars use lucid prose to emphasize that both psychiatry and the law are subject to the influence of mundane societal mores, an understanding of which is necessary for the thoughtful practice of forensic psychiatry. ." -- Ezra E. H. Griffith, MD is Professor of Psychiatry and of African-American Studies at Yale University "This brilliant text provides a comprehensive and in-depth view of the importance of cultural perspectives in contemporary forensic psychiatry. The authors, with their combined expertise in cultural psychiatry and the law, provide practitioners with a solid foundation of what they need to know in this exciting and challenging field, while at the same time introducing central philosophical questions at the interface of psychiatry, law, culture, and ethics. ." -- James K. Boehnlein, M.D. Professor of Psychiatry Oregon Health and Science University "Drs. Tseng, Mathews, and Elwyn have written a text which takes us into the increasingly important realm of cultural competencies in a forensic psychiatric context...It is the first comprehensive treatment of this important topic and provides forensic scientists, novice and expert, with a roadmap for basic understanding of the issues involved and a jumping-off place for future investigation and mastery of this most important area of forensic concern." -- Joseph D. Bloom, M.D., Emeritus Dean, School of Medicine; Emeritus Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University