Publications
- Aspects of Content and Structure of Narratives in a Forensic Group Psychotherapy
Forensische Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie. 2011, 18(1):19-36
"There is a lack of knowledge about change agents in the group psychotherapeutic process with forensic psychiatric patients. Yet, the identification of these factors is necessary for an effective treatment of these patients. The aim of this study was to analyze content and structure of narratives in a forensic group therapeutic setting with drug and alcohol addicted patients. The narratives of the patients were assessed using criteria-based content analysis. 1013 narratives of 42 videotaped group sessions were analyzed on the basis of Stellers' and Köhnkens' (1989) content criteria for statement analysis. There were significant differences in the relative frequency of observed topics. The patients most frequently talked about their social contacts and personal issues, but they hardly ever talked about their index offence or drug-related problems. The most detailed and complex narratives were those pertaining to family relations, education, work, or professional life. In contrast, narratives focusing on therapy or personal issues showed a relatively simple narrative structure. Providing a detailed account of structural aspects and content of narratives within a forensic group psychotherapy, this study contributes to the field of psychotherapy research."
- Risk Assessment for Domestic Violence
Fortschritte der Neurologie Psychiatrie. Epub ahead of print
"The present review outlines the different sleep disorders associated with
violence, and aims to provide information on diagnosis, therapy and forensic
issues. It also discusses current physiopathological models, establishing a
link between sleep-related violence and violence observed in other settings."
- Indicators for outcome of ambulatory alcohol rehabilitation.
Schweizer Archiv für Psychiatrie und Neurologie.
"Predictors for successful inpatient alcohol rehabilitation have been studied in the last few years mainly in the German speaking geographical area. The objective of this study was the identification of indicators for the outcome of an inpatient alcohol rehabilitation.
This study contains a sample of patients (N=1065) from the Forel-Hospital, who were treated between 2004 and 2007. This institution is specialized in the treatment of alcohol-dependence. The differences of three groups of patients have been studied: patients who abandoned the treatment prematurely, patients who terminated the treatment with respectively without improvement.
The multinomial regression analyses revealed, that the group or premature abandoners differed with respect to age, level of education and employment status. Furthermore, the group terminating with improvement were more likely to be employed and less likely to habe been diagnosed with a personality disorder.
While the sample population in this study did not require a 24 hour care because of the relatively low psychiatric and somatic comorbidity level, its degree of severity of alcoholism required nevertheless an inpatient treatment. In spite of the sample specificity a number of predictors for an unsuccessful treatment could be identified.
It was possible to identify indicators for a positive treatment outcome. The course of treatment is rather influenced by social than by psychiatric factors. The treatment outcome however is influenced by comorbid personality disorders."