Navigating ethnic diversity in forensic mental health care : a qualitative perspective on professional approaches and needs
- Author
- Marjolein De Pau (UGent) , Tom Vander Beken (UGent) , Freya Vander Laenen (UGent) and Stijn Vandevelde (UGent)
- Organization
- Project
- Abstract
- The forensic mental health care system faces significant challenges in addressing the needs of clients from migrant and ethnic minority groups. This qualitative study explores how forensic mental health professionals navigate ethnic diversity, examining their experiences, approaches, and professional needs. Based on semi-structured interviews with 11 professionals and participatory observations across five forensic wards in Belgium, our findings revealed a lack of formal training in culturally sensitive care. While professionals commonly provide religious accommodations, language education, and non-verbal therapeutic strategies, few actively explore clients’ normative views on mental health and transgressive behavior. Many acknowledge how their own identity and lived experience influence their practice and therapeutic relationships. However, no formal organizational policies support culturally sensitive care in forensic mental health services. Participants expressed a need for structured or experiential training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and greater diversity within forensic teams. These findings underscore the need for systemic changes, including policy development, anti-racism measures, and improved access to interpreter services. By addressing these gaps, forensic mental health services can better meet the needs of ethnically diverse client populations.
- Keywords
- forensic mental health, professionals, cultural sensitivity, ethnic diversity, positionality, INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS, RISK-ASSESSMENT, EPA GUIDANCE, CHALLENGES, SERVICES, VIOLENCE
Downloads
-
(...).pdf
- full text (Accepted manuscript)
- |
- UGent only (changes to open access on 2026-10-02)
- |
- |
- 898.35 KB
Citation
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication: http://hdl.handle.net/1854/LU-01K6J04SY37F2XS3NH7TN87HF6
- MLA
- De Pau, Marjolein, et al. “Navigating Ethnic Diversity in Forensic Mental Health Care : A Qualitative Perspective on Professional Approaches and Needs.” JUSTICE, OPPORTUNITIES, AND REHABILITATION, vol. 64, no. 8, 2025, pp. 582–601, doi:10.1080/2997965x.2025.2562821.
- APA
- De Pau, M., Vander Beken, T., Vander Laenen, F., & Vandevelde, S. (2025). Navigating ethnic diversity in forensic mental health care : a qualitative perspective on professional approaches and needs. JUSTICE, OPPORTUNITIES, AND REHABILITATION, 64(8), 582–601. https://doi.org/10.1080/2997965x.2025.2562821
- Chicago author-date
- De Pau, Marjolein, Tom Vander Beken, Freya Vander Laenen, and Stijn Vandevelde. 2025. “Navigating Ethnic Diversity in Forensic Mental Health Care : A Qualitative Perspective on Professional Approaches and Needs.” JUSTICE, OPPORTUNITIES, AND REHABILITATION 64 (8): 582–601. https://doi.org/10.1080/2997965x.2025.2562821.
- Chicago author-date (all authors)
- De Pau, Marjolein, Tom Vander Beken, Freya Vander Laenen, and Stijn Vandevelde. 2025. “Navigating Ethnic Diversity in Forensic Mental Health Care : A Qualitative Perspective on Professional Approaches and Needs.” JUSTICE, OPPORTUNITIES, AND REHABILITATION 64 (8): 582–601. doi:10.1080/2997965x.2025.2562821.
- Vancouver
- 1.De Pau M, Vander Beken T, Vander Laenen F, Vandevelde S. Navigating ethnic diversity in forensic mental health care : a qualitative perspective on professional approaches and needs. JUSTICE, OPPORTUNITIES, AND REHABILITATION. 2025;64(8):582–601.
- IEEE
- [1]M. De Pau, T. Vander Beken, F. Vander Laenen, and S. Vandevelde, “Navigating ethnic diversity in forensic mental health care : a qualitative perspective on professional approaches and needs,” JUSTICE, OPPORTUNITIES, AND REHABILITATION, vol. 64, no. 8, pp. 582–601, 2025.
@article{01K6J04SY37F2XS3NH7TN87HF6,
abstract = {{The forensic mental health care system faces significant challenges in addressing the needs of clients from migrant and ethnic minority groups. This qualitative study explores how forensic mental health professionals navigate ethnic diversity, examining their experiences, approaches, and professional needs. Based on semi-structured interviews with 11 professionals and participatory observations across five forensic wards in Belgium, our findings revealed a lack of formal training in culturally sensitive care. While professionals commonly provide religious accommodations, language education, and non-verbal therapeutic strategies, few actively explore clients’ normative views on mental health and transgressive behavior. Many acknowledge how their own identity and lived experience influence their practice and therapeutic relationships. However, no formal organizational policies support culturally sensitive care in forensic mental health services. Participants expressed a need for structured or experiential training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and greater diversity within forensic teams. These findings underscore the need for systemic changes, including policy development, anti-racism measures, and improved access to interpreter services. By addressing these gaps, forensic mental health services can better meet the needs of ethnically diverse client populations.}},
author = {{De Pau, Marjolein and Vander Beken, Tom and Vander Laenen, Freya and Vandevelde, Stijn}},
issn = {{2997-965X}},
journal = {{JUSTICE, OPPORTUNITIES, AND REHABILITATION}},
keywords = {{forensic mental health,professionals,cultural sensitivity,ethnic diversity,positionality,INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS,RISK-ASSESSMENT,EPA GUIDANCE,CHALLENGES,SERVICES,VIOLENCE}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{8}},
pages = {{582--601}},
title = {{Navigating ethnic diversity in forensic mental health care : a qualitative perspective on professional approaches and needs}},
url = {{http://doi.org/10.1080/2997965x.2025.2562821}},
volume = {{64}},
year = {{2025}},
}
- Altmetric
- View in Altmetric