Making a Case for Gender-Responsive, Trauma-Informed Mental Health Courts: An Exploration of Participant Trauma Histories

Abstract

Considering the disproportionate number of people in the criminal justice system with trauma histories, in conjunction with the disproportionate number of people with mental illness who have experienced trauma, examining the trauma histories of mental health court (MHC) participants is essential. However, no studies to date have explicitly examined the trauma histories of this vulnerable population. Therefore, the present study aimed to describe the lifetime prevalence of traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis among a sample of 163 participants within a Northeastern U.S. MHC. Gender differences were also explored. Overall, about 83% of MHC participants reported any lifetime trauma, with significantly higher rates among female participants (94.2%) as compared to male participants (78.4%). Approximately half of MHC participants reported experiencing childhood maltreatment, with women being significantly more likely to have experienced physical and sexual abuse during childhood than men. Further, women had higher rates of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. The percentage of women diagnosed with PTSD was about twice that of the men. These findings underscore the need for a trauma-informed and gender responsive approach to MHCs. Suggestions for MHCs to consider are offered, including trauma screening tools into MHC assessment procedures, cultivating a more trauma-informed culture by adapting key principles, and incorporating trauma-specific programming and therapies into their offerings.