A Study on Aspects and Utilization of Peer Support in Forensic Mental Health

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10957
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58060:Clinical nursing-related
• Research Institution: Iwate Medical University (2021-2024); The Japanese Red Cross Akita College of Nursing (2019-2020)
• Principal Investigator: Kumachi Mie 岩手医科大学, 看護学部, 准教授 (40320642)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: 医療観察法 / 司法精神看護 / ピアサポート / リカバリー / 他害行為 / 社会復帰調整官 / 看護師

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Inter-inpatient interactions in forensic psychiatric units operating under the Medical Treatment and Supervision Act (MTSA) were observed as existing inpatients explained what they understood about the process until discharge to new inpatients in order to give them a sense of reassurance.
Nurses of the forensic psychiatric units encouraged patients to listen to other inpatients’ experiences in order to activate inter-inpatient interactions in their units. Rehabilitation coordinators confirmed that the patients continued their mutual exchanges and support even after discharge. As such, these findings suggest that peer support can be a form of moral support for patients under MTSA, who carry dual stigmas due to their mental disorders and the serious, harmful acts they committed.

Free Research Field

精神看護学分野

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで、司法精神医療分野の一つである医療観察法における医療や看護の研究では、暴力リスクのアセスメントや攻撃性のマネジメント、患者が起こした他害行為に対する内省アプローチに主眼がおかれていた。
しかし、本研究では、医療観察法の対象患者が、患者同士で支援しあっていた交流が確認され、退院後もその交流が支えとなり、リカバリを促進する重要な要素となることが明らかになった。精神疾患と重大な他害行為を起こしたことでの2重のスティグマを抱える患者に対するアプローチの幅が広がる契機となる重要な意義があると考える。