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Purpose – This research explored perspectives of civilian and military based mental health professionals regarding mental health challenges, influencing factors, and treatment considerations for military first responders in Sri Lanka, after they’ve been exposed to crisis events. Methodology – Twenty-nine mental health professionals from Sri Lanka (14 civilian and 15 military based) engaged in a semi-structured interview to share their experiences and recommendations in treating military first responders from Sri Lanka army and navy. Key findings – Thematic Analysis yielded two main categories of data:) 1) factors influencing the impact of exposure to crisis event and 2) factors influencing effective interventions; for first responders in the Sri Lanka military. . These two categories were further analysed as themes and subthemes, based on factors which amplify, buffer against, and/or has a variable impact on trauma symptomology, and factors external to military first responders, which could impact their recovery efficiency. . Originality – This study is one of the first to explore mental health challenges and treatment considerations for military first responders in South Asia, through the perspective of civilian and military based mental health professionals.

This narrative review of theory introduces the basis for a new assessment tool; the CASEE (Child Adolescent Sexual Exploitation Evaluation, Ireland, Lewis & Ireland, 2023), which is then illustrated using a case study approach. The CASEE considers the vulnerability and protective factors for children and young people where concerns of child sexual exploitation (CSE) have been raised. Such concerns can include known exposure to CSE, suspected or a potential risk of exposure. The CASEE considers various vulnerability and protective factor items, developed from research involving the CASEE authors, and in response to additional research in the field. A child/young person is rated for the presenting evidence of several vulnerability factors that could present as a heightened risk of exposure to CSE, alongside protective factors that can buffer against these concerns. A key component of the CASEE is completion of an individualised formulation of understanding as to what can exacerbate vulnerabilities, alongside consideration of risk scenarios for how vulnerability can present. The aim is to understand vulnerabilities around the time of CSE concerns, and how protective factors can be maximised to safeguard the child/young person. The plans for validation of the CASEE are outlined.

A systematic review first examined the effectiveness of violence reduction therapy in detained forensic populations, considering 23 papers. Six themes of effectiveness were identified: 1.) Evidenced improvements in coping and problem-solving skills; 2.) Evidenced decrease in aggressive beliefs and hostility; 3.) Improvements found in emotion regulation; 4.) Decreased risk of violence and institutional misconduct; 5.) Mixed reconviction outcomes, and 6.) Absence of positive treatment outcome. An observed absence in the literature was failure to consider individual levels of treatment outcome alongside group effects, coupled with paucity of research capturing complex forensic mental health populations. Consequently, the review was followed by an evaluation of a long term aggression therapy programme (Life Minus Violence – Enhanced: LMV-E) among adult male forensic patients (n = 26) detained in high security, which considered both group and individual treatment change, to further determine if the themes of effectiveness noted in the systematic review could be replicated. This was demonstrated to a degree although differences were evidenced when accounting for individual effects, particularly when using the strictest method in this regard – Jacobson-Truax. Accounting for group, individual and the systematic review collectively, it would appear a positive effect on emotional regulation in relation to anger and the ability to control and experience this was particularly evidenced following therapy. The paper highlights the importance of accounting for individual change and outlines implications for improving aggression therapy evaluation in detained samples, by developing more theory informed evaluations.

Two studies examining adult women are presented. The first (n = 162) examines the relationship between proclivity (i.e. interest in, predisposition) to abuse animals and the link to aggression motivation, with psychopathy traits, sadism and general maladaptive personality explored. The second study (n = 159) extended to focus on callous-unemotional traits. We predicted that proclivity to abuse would be associated with increased proactive aggression, with the former also associated with higher levels of psychopathy, sadism and callousness. These traits were expected to mediate the relationship between proclivity to abuse and aggression. Results confirmed that between one to two thirds of women reported at least some proclivity to abuse animals. An association between proclivity and proactive aggression was demonstrated, with callousness-uncaring and sadism representing important traits to account for. Results are discussed with attention to the implications for developing a theoretical understanding of the proclivity to abuse animals.