A pilot study assessing initial psychometric properties of “the risk insight scale”
The Journal of Forensic Practice
ISSN: 2050-8794
Article publication date: 9 December 2022
Issue publication date: 1 February 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report on the development of a psychometric measure of insight, The Risk Insight Scale. This measure is intended to assess the insight and understanding of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) who engage in offending and/or risky behaviour. The measure assesses insight in two domains: insight into offending and/or risky behaviours and insight into the need for treatment for offending and/or risky behaviours.
Design/methodology/approach
Forty secure inpatients with ID were assessed using the measure. Preliminary data are presented on inter-rater and test–retest reliability, internal consistency and validity.
Findings
The data demonstrate that the new tool has good internal consistency, good inter-rater reliability and good test–retest reliability.
Research limitations/implications
The psychometric measure must be completed by someone who is familiar with the patient. More data is needed to validate the measure at this stage. Further discussion is provided regarding insight as a construct and its role in risk assessment.
Practical implications
The psychometric measure is both of potential benefit in clinical settings with regard to informing risk assessment and case management and may also serve as an effective tool in intervention outcome evaluation and academic research trials.
Originality/value
The generation of new tool to support and enhance risk assessment, specifically in supplementing assessment of insight in individuals with ID with offending and/or risky behaviour.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
In memory of Emma Smith.
Ethical approval granted by West Midlands – Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee.
Implications for practice: Development of a new psychometric measure for insight into offending and treatment need.
Potential benefit in clinical settings to inform risk assessment and case management with individuals with both mild and moderate ID.
May serve as an effective tool in intervention outcome evaluation and academic research trials.
Citation
Hickman, G. and Morris, A. (2023), "A pilot study assessing initial psychometric properties of “the risk insight scale”", The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 25 No. 1, pp. 12-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-08-2022-0041
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited