Date of Award
Spring 5-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department/Program
Forensic Psychology
Language
English
First Advisor or Mentor
Keith A. Markus
Second Reader
William H. Gottdiener
Third Advisor
Rebecca Weiss
Abstract
In the realm of trial competency evaluations, there are a variety of methods used to evaluate whether an individual is fit to stand trial. Presently, forensic psychologists conduct trial competency evaluations in order to assess one’s ability to stand trial, but for persons with a mental health diagnosis, the generic competency measures are not the most effective means to assess one’s ability to stand trial, as mental health diagnoses impair cognitive functions that are required in judicial proceedings. Forensic psychologists have opted to utilize other assessment methods such as the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool – Criminal Adjudication [MacCAT-CA] and Fitness Interview Test [FIT] to determine trial competency within this population. This meta-analysis aims to estimate the association between trial competency and mental health among criminal defendants. Within this analysis, two different moderators were studied to estimate if they had an impact on the level of association between trial competency and mental health which were the proportion of females and the total mental health score. Studies that measured the same relationships between trial competency and mental health for samples based in the United States and Canada were reviewed and coded to determine their overall effect.
Recommended Citation
Severe, Danielle C., "The Association between Mental Health Diagnoses and Trial Competency Assessments in Defendants: A meta-analysis" (2023). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/jj_etds/276
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