Assessing Forensic Evaluators’ Methods of Conducting Competency-to-Stand-Trial Evaluations: A Mixed-Methods Study

Enregistré dans:
Détails bibliographiques
Publié dans:ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (2025)
Auteur principal: Velez, Janina
Publié:
ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
Sujets:
Accès en ligne:Citation/Abstract
Full Text - PDF
Tags: Ajouter un tag
Pas de tags, Soyez le premier à ajouter un tag!

MARC

LEADER 00000nab a2200000uu 4500
001 3284362597
003 UK-CbPIL
020 |a 9798270233327 
035 |a 3284362597 
045 2 |b d20250101  |b d20251231 
084 |a 66569  |2 nlm 
100 1 |a Velez, Janina 
245 1 |a Assessing Forensic Evaluators’ Methods of Conducting Competency-to-Stand-Trial Evaluations: A Mixed-Methods Study 
260 |b ProQuest Dissertations & Theses  |c 2025 
513 |a Dissertation/Thesis 
520 3 |a This mixed-methods study examined how forensic evaluators define, interpret, and assess rational understanding in competency-to-stand-trial (CST) evaluations. Despite precedent from the Dusky v. United States (1960), rational understanding remains conceptually ambiguous, contributing to variability in CST opinions (Bonnie, 1992; Collins, 2019; Guarnera et al., 2017). Twenty-three licensed psychologists from the American Psychology-Law Society (Division 41) completed a survey evaluating their interpretations of rational understanding and responses to three brief CST vignettes. Quantitative analyses assessed whether vignette type, years of forensic experience, or number of completed CST evaluations influenced evaluator CST opinions. A chi-square test revealed a statistically significant difference in responses for Vignette 3 (p = .003), with a large effect size (Cramer’s V = .60). No significant correlations were found between evaluator experience variables and CST opinions. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed three main themes: (1) vignette-based decision-making, (2) interpretation of rational understanding, and (3) methodology for CST and rational understanding. Findings suggest that variability in how rational understanding is conceptualized, rather than differences in assessment tools, may underlie inconsistency in CST decisions. Although participants often reflected elements of established models (e.g., Bonnie, 1992; Grisso, 2003; Hoge, 2016; Rogers et al., 2003), their application varied, leading to discrepancies in opinions. This study recommended greater reliance on structured models, particularly Bonnie’s (1992) decisional competence and Grisso’s (2003) five-component model. In combination, these approaches may offer a more holistic and standardized method for assessing CST, especially rational understanding, thus improving conceptual clarity, interrater reliability, and fairness in CST evaluations. 
653 |a Clinical psychology 
653 |a Psychology 
653 |a Forensic sciences 
773 0 |t ProQuest Dissertations and Theses  |g (2025) 
786 0 |d ProQuest  |t ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global 
856 4 1 |3 Citation/Abstract  |u https://www.proquest.com/docview/3284362597/abstract/embedded/7BTGNMKEMPT1V9Z2?source=fedsrch 
856 4 0 |3 Full Text - PDF  |u https://www.proquest.com/docview/3284362597/fulltextPDF/embedded/7BTGNMKEMPT1V9Z2?source=fedsrch