
A need for a forensic specific policy regarding experiencing sexuality : a study of quality of life in medium security patients
- Author
- Lena Boons, Petra Habets, Leen Cappon (UGent) and Steven Degrauwe
- Organization
- Abstract
- PurposeIn Belgium, mentally ill offenders often spend extended periods in forensic psychiatric hospitals, where restrictive living conditions can affect their quality of life (QoL). QoL is a key factor in these settings, influencing both short- and long-term recidivism risks. Despite its significance, research on QoL in Belgian forensic psychiatry is scarce. Internationally, studies highlight that the sexuality domain tends to score lower than other QoL areas. This study aims to explore QoL in forensic psychiatry with a particular focus on the sexuality domain.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional, observational study involved 275 male forensic psychiatric patients, all found not guilty by reason of insanity and under court-ordered psychiatric treatment. Patients resided in either treatment units or long-term forensic care units. Data were analyzed using R Studio.FindingsPatients in medium-security units in Flanders reported the lowest satisfaction in the sexuality domain compared to other QoL areas. Additionally, overall QoL declined with longer stays in forensic psychiatric care.Practical implicationsThe study underscores the need for clear policies regarding sexuality in forensic psychiatric settings. Integrating sexuality and sexual health assessments into routine evaluations is recommended. Future research should explore long-term QoL changes while investigating the impact of sexuality policies and considering gender and cultural differences. Collaboration between forensic institutions is key to improving data collection, while staff training on addressing sexuality is essential. Including patients in policy development and promoting their sexual health rights will help create a more inclusive environment.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to pool data from three forensic medium-security units in Flanders, providing new insights into QoL in Belgian forensic psychiatry.
- Keywords
- Forensic psychiatry, Forensic treatment, Quality of life, Sexuality, GOOD LIVES MODEL, MENTAL-ILLNESS, SELF-REPORT, PSYCHIATRY, OFFENDERS, LENGTH, RISK
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Citation
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication: http://hdl.handle.net/1854/LU-01JHG598XQ2B65SAZFH1M17HRR
- MLA
- Boons, Lena, et al. “A Need for a Forensic Specific Policy Regarding Experiencing Sexuality : A Study of Quality of Life in Medium Security Patients.” JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE, 2025, doi:10.1108/jfp-08-2024-0043.
- APA
- Boons, L., Habets, P., Cappon, L., & Degrauwe, S. (2025). A need for a forensic specific policy regarding experiencing sexuality : a study of quality of life in medium security patients. JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE. https://doi.org/10.1108/jfp-08-2024-0043
- Chicago author-date
- Boons, Lena, Petra Habets, Leen Cappon, and Steven Degrauwe. 2025. “A Need for a Forensic Specific Policy Regarding Experiencing Sexuality : A Study of Quality of Life in Medium Security Patients.” JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE. https://doi.org/10.1108/jfp-08-2024-0043.
- Chicago author-date (all authors)
- Boons, Lena, Petra Habets, Leen Cappon, and Steven Degrauwe. 2025. “A Need for a Forensic Specific Policy Regarding Experiencing Sexuality : A Study of Quality of Life in Medium Security Patients.” JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE. doi:10.1108/jfp-08-2024-0043.
- Vancouver
- 1.Boons L, Habets P, Cappon L, Degrauwe S. A need for a forensic specific policy regarding experiencing sexuality : a study of quality of life in medium security patients. JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE. 2025;
- IEEE
- [1]L. Boons, P. Habets, L. Cappon, and S. Degrauwe, “A need for a forensic specific policy regarding experiencing sexuality : a study of quality of life in medium security patients,” JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE, 2025.
@article{01JHG598XQ2B65SAZFH1M17HRR, abstract = {{PurposeIn Belgium, mentally ill offenders often spend extended periods in forensic psychiatric hospitals, where restrictive living conditions can affect their quality of life (QoL). QoL is a key factor in these settings, influencing both short- and long-term recidivism risks. Despite its significance, research on QoL in Belgian forensic psychiatry is scarce. Internationally, studies highlight that the sexuality domain tends to score lower than other QoL areas. This study aims to explore QoL in forensic psychiatry with a particular focus on the sexuality domain.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional, observational study involved 275 male forensic psychiatric patients, all found not guilty by reason of insanity and under court-ordered psychiatric treatment. Patients resided in either treatment units or long-term forensic care units. Data were analyzed using R Studio.FindingsPatients in medium-security units in Flanders reported the lowest satisfaction in the sexuality domain compared to other QoL areas. Additionally, overall QoL declined with longer stays in forensic psychiatric care.Practical implicationsThe study underscores the need for clear policies regarding sexuality in forensic psychiatric settings. Integrating sexuality and sexual health assessments into routine evaluations is recommended. Future research should explore long-term QoL changes while investigating the impact of sexuality policies and considering gender and cultural differences. Collaboration between forensic institutions is key to improving data collection, while staff training on addressing sexuality is essential. Including patients in policy development and promoting their sexual health rights will help create a more inclusive environment.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to pool data from three forensic medium-security units in Flanders, providing new insights into QoL in Belgian forensic psychiatry.}}, author = {{Boons, Lena and Habets, Petra and Cappon, Leen and Degrauwe, Steven}}, issn = {{2050-8794}}, journal = {{JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE}}, keywords = {{Forensic psychiatry,Forensic treatment,Quality of life,Sexuality,GOOD LIVES MODEL,MENTAL-ILLNESS,SELF-REPORT,PSYCHIATRY,OFFENDERS,LENGTH,RISK}}, language = {{eng}}, title = {{A need for a forensic specific policy regarding experiencing sexuality : a study of quality of life in medium security patients}}, url = {{http://doi.org/10.1108/jfp-08-2024-0043}}, year = {{2025}}, }
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