The effects of psychosocial interventions applied to forensic psychiatry patients on social functioning and anger level: a meta-analysis study

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the effects of psychosocial interventions on social functioning and anger levels in forensic psychiatry patients. Data for this meta-analysis study were gathered by searching databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, and YÖK Thesis Center, without any year restriction, from September to December 2023. After a thorough review, 12 studies were deemed appropriate for the analysis. The findings of this meta-analysis indicate that psychosocial treatments administered to forensic psychiatry patients led to an increase in their level of social functioning (SMD: 0.513, 95% CI: 0.072 – 0.995; Z = 2.280; p < .05) and a decrease in their level of anger (SMD: −0.701, 95% CI: −1.301 to −0.100;Z = −2.287; p < .05). It was also observed that the effectiveness of the psychosocial intervention was not influenced by the type of psychotherapy, the country where the study was conducted, or the duration of the treatment. Psychosocial interventions for forensic psychiatry patients positively affect the mental health of individuals.

KEYWORDS:

• Forensic psychiatry
• psychosocial intervention
• meta-analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).