Criminal Court-Ordered Psychiatric Evaluations: Does Gender Play a Role?

This study examines potential gender differences among defendants referred by criminal courts for psychiatric evaluations by analyzing demographic, clinical, and criminal history variables and evaluation findings. This study offers a large sample size of 718 females, as well as 3,627 males. Bivariat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Dirks-Linhorst, P. Ann (Author)
Contributors: Linhorst, Donald M. ; Loux, Travis M.
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2019
In: Women & criminal justice
Year: 2019, Volume: 29, Issue: 6, Pages: 303-322
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
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Keywords:
Competency to stand trial
Criminal Responsibility
Gender
Mental Illness
Pretrial psychiatric evaluations
Description
Summary:This study examines potential gender differences among defendants referred by criminal courts for psychiatric evaluations by analyzing demographic, clinical, and criminal history variables and evaluation findings. This study offers a large sample size of 718 females, as well as 3,627 males. Bivariate logistic regression and heterogeneity analyses were utilized to assess potential differences. Females were older; diagnosed more with mood, anxiety, and borderline personality disorders; less likely to have prior felony convictions; and more likely to be in the community than jail at the time of the evaluation. In addition, when controlling for other factors, females were more likely to be evaluated as having a mental disease or defect, to need hospitalization pending trial, and to be incompetent to stand trial.
ISSN:1541-0323
DOI:10.1080/08974454.2018.1520673