Mansfield Mela

• University of Saskatchewan

Background Screening for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) has been identified as a promising approach to improve recognition, understanding and effective response to the unique needs of those with FASD in criminal legal settings. However, to date, there has been limited synthesis of relevant screening tools, indicators, or implementation cons...

In recent years, there has been a global advancement in the offering of canine-assisted interventions (CAI) in prisons. However, these programs have focused primarily on the benefits to the dogs involved and not on the impact on the participants. The authors of this perspective study have been running a CAI program with therapy dogs, called PAWSiti...

Overrepresented and often misunderstood, adverse outcomes such as justice system involvement have been a dominant storyline in the FASD literature; this is neither an inevitable outcome, nor one that will impact all individuals with FASD. Increased understanding of the mechanisms that influence development, behavior, and action should inform our re...

The current study aimed to explore the relationships between attachment and childhood trauma on recidivism risk in a sample of Canadian offenders with mental disorder (OMDs). N = 56 OMDs completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire, a measure of adult attachment (Experiences in Close Relationships Scale), and interview to determi...

Previous researchers have demonstrated that learning to forgive may reduce the likelihood of offending/reoffending. Forgiveness therapy may be useful for rehabilitation by assisting traumatized individuals to release revengeful emotions. The current study is a follow up to a previous study that examined the effects of a 6-week forgiveness psychoedu...

Background and objective: Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) tend to be prescribed a high number of psychotropic medications to treat high rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders. A lack of guidance regarding best practices for prescribing psychotropic medications to individuals with FASD probably accounts for this reliance on...

Background and objective Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) tend to be prescribed a high number of psycho-tropic medications to treat high rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders. A lack of guidance regarding best practices for prescribing psychotropic medications to individuals with FASD probably accounts for this reliance on...

Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) experience a range of biopsychosocial vulnerabilities that can increase the possibility of adverse life outcomes, including a heightened risk of suicidality. In this study, we explored the lived experiences of caregivers of children and youth with FASD and suicidality, including their percepti...

Patient oriented research (POR) is new to the healthcare research landscape in Canada and has not yet been applied to the forensic field. This review begins by introducing POR, the POR Level of Engagement Tool, and complimentary approaches used in research with forensic patients. Next, the potential key challenges, paradoxes, and benefits of applyi...

Patient oriented research (POR) is new to the healthcare research landscape in Canada and has not yet been applied to the forensic field. This review begins by introducing POR, the POR Level of Engagement Tool, and complimentary approaches used in research with forensic patients. Next, the potential key challenges, paradoxes, and benefits of applyi...

Interpretation and response to behaviour is predicated on understanding. However, our present understanding of aggressive behaviour, especially for complex and vulnerable populations is limited. The purpose of this review is to enhance our understanding of aggressive behaviour by providing a comprehensive outline of the conditions and underlying me...

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a multifaceted disability, characterized not only by brain- and body-based challenges, but also high rates of environmental adversity, lifelong difficulties with daily living, and distinct sociocultural considerations. FASD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disabilities in the Western world and a...

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is prevalent among individuals involved in the justice system. However, many of the characteristics of justice-involved individuals with FASD remain unknown. We assessed patients in a forensic mental health hospital (n = 26) for FASD before their release. The two objectives were to establish the prevalence of...

Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is highly prevalent in criminal justice settings. Despite increased awareness of the neurocognitive deficits among justice‐involved individuals with FASD, no systematic evaluation of the literature in the field has been conducted to date. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the neuroc...

Background Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition resulting from pre-natal alcohol exposure. In Canada, an estimated 1.4-4% of newborns are affected by FASD. FASD is often associated with behavioural comorbidities and many individuals require psychotropic medication. However, to date there are no FASD specific guid...

Objective Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) experience a range of complex neurodevelopmental, psychological, and socioenvironmental vulnerabilities. There is growing evidence that suicidal ideation, attempts, and death by suicide are significant concerns within this population. In this study, we (1) determined the rate of suic...

Comprehensive assessment and resulting treatment recommendations involving individuals diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) often include the use of psychotropic medications. Such medications, some with known approved indications, target mental disorders while others, with no approved indications, treat symptoms. Psychostimulants,...

Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, are overrepresented in criminal justice settings and have complex, forensically relevant clinical needs. This study surveyed 81 forensic clinicians recruited via international professional association listserv postings and...

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a multifaceted disability, associated not only with complex brain- and body-based challenges, but also with high rates of environmental adversity, diverse sociocultural contexts, and lifelong difficulties with daily living. It is important to consider the complexities of FASD, and the ways in which FASD req...

Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) experience remarkably high rates of mental health and substance use challenges, beginning early in life and extending throughout adulthood. Proactive intervention can help to mitigate some of these negative experiences. Although the literature on FASD intervention is growing, there is currentl...

Psychotropic medication treatment of individuals who have experienced prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has lagged behind psychosocial interventions. Multiple psychotropic medications are often prescribed for those diagnosed with a range of neurodevelopmental disabilities and impairments of PAE (neurodevelopmental disorder associated with prenatal al...

Individuals with a history of offending behavior show high rates of mental disorder as well as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Neurocognitive impairments are common in both mental disorders and FASD and may interface with offending behavior. Understanding these impairments could effectively inform clinical considerations among this populati...

It is common for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) to require support for mental health and addictions but there are challenges associated with receiving appropriate care in Canada. This qualitative investigation of the barriers and enablers to the development of a clinical pathway in mental health and addictions included foc...

Purpose of review Understanding the pathophysiologic, diagnostic, and treatment implications of the interface between mental disorder and the consequences of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) is important for mental health professionals (MHP) seeking to provide the most effective care. This review was written to highlight the importance of identifyin...

To compare employment pay, count of infractions, and clinical symptoms in psychiatric inmates treated with clozapine or other antipsychotics after 6 months of treatment. Clinical charts and institutional offence records of psychiatric inmates (n = 98), comprised of those on clozapine (n = 65) and on other antipsychotics (n = 33), were reviewed at b...

A sample of 285 federal offenders admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Canada participated in consecutive runs of a six-month intensive anger management program over a 15-year period. The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) test scores before and after the programs were collected and analysed, together with data on anger-related institu...