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Violence Exposure, Affective Style, and Stress-Induced Changes in Resting State Functional Connectivity
Childhood violence exposure can negatively affect adult psychological functioning, leading to increased anxiety and depression. This is partly due to stress-induced changes in brain regions involved in emotion regulation.
Ethical and Professional Considerations in the Forensic Assessment of Complex Trauma and Dissociation
Exposure to traumatic events is common, and forensic psychologists frequently encounter individuals with trauma histories in legal cases. Ethical practice is crucial when evaluating these individuals, especially those with complex trauma.
Towards Trauma-Informed Legal Practice: a Review
Many lawyers experience trauma through their work, leading to unrecognized well-being issues and potential harm. Adopting a trauma-informed approach can help lawyers overcome stigma and build resilience.
Post-Migration Factors and Mental Health Outcomes in Asylum-Seeking and Refugee Populations: a Systematic Review
Forcibly displaced people experience higher rates of mental health disorders, particularly PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Post-migration stressors like legal status and unemployment significantly impact their psychological well-being.
Psychological Trauma and Access to Primary Healthcare for People from Refugee and Asylum-Seeker Backgrounds: a Mixed Methods Systematic Review
Refugees often face mental health challenges like PTSD due to pre and post-migration trauma. While primary care is crucial, it is unclear if psychological trauma directly impacts their access to these services.
Porter v. Clarke
The 4th Circuit found Virginia's near-solitary confinement for death-row inmates unconstitutional. It risked serious psychological harm due to 23-24 hour in-cell isolation and minimal social contact.
Pike v. Gross
The court denied Pike's appeal. His claim was that his lawyer failed to present evidence of brain damage, bipolar disorder, and PTSD during his sentencing.
Anderson v. Kelley
The Eighth Circuit found counsel’s investigation into Anderson’s mitigation claims, including teen brain limits and PTSD, was reasonable. Therefore, legal assistance was not constitutionally deficient.
Andrews v. Davis
The Ninth Circuit ordered a new sentencing phase. Trial counsel was ineffective for not presenting significant evidence of the defendant's abusive upbringing and trauma during the initial sentencing.
The Brain in Solitude: An (Other) Eighth Amendment Challenge to Solitary Confinement
Solitary confinement lacks consistent rules and often causes harm, yet courts rarely find it unconstitutional. New neuroscience research suggests extreme isolation inherently deprives basic human needs and can cause lasting brain damage.
There Is No One Here to Protect You: Trauma Among Children Fleeing Violence in Central America
Children fleeing violence in Central America arrive at the U.S. border with significant trauma. Many experience severe physical and psychological issues, yet U.S. policies often worsen their suffering.
Linn v. State
The Iowa Supreme Court reinstated a murder defendant's claim, finding that expert testimony on battered woman syndrome and trauma could be critical, and denying funds for such an expert was an abuse of discretion.
State v. Jenkins
The Nebraska Supreme Court found prolonged solitary confinement can worsen mental illness. However, the court did not consider it a mitigating factor because the defendant's misconduct caused the isolation.
Brief of the Promise of Justice Initiative and National Association for Public Defense as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioner
This brief argues that Mr. McKinney's death sentence relies on outdated understandings of PTSD and trauma. It asserts that his horrific childhood abuse and neglect were not adequately considered.
The Return of the Repressed: The Persistent and Problematic Claims of Long-Forgotten Trauma
The debate over repressed memories continues, with the term "dissociative amnesia" now often used as a substitute. Beliefs in repressed memories remain prevalent and carry significant risks in clinical and legal settings.