Resource Library

Topics

Filters

Resource Library

New to the Resource Library?

Learn how to navigate, search, and use our resources effectively.

How to use the Library

Trauma is a Public Health Issue

Exposure to trauma is widespread globally, impacting individuals and societies.

traumapublic healthpreventionpolicymental healthearly interventiontraumatic stressdisaster
(2017)

The Social Determinants of Refugee Mental Health in the Post-Migration Context: A Critical Review

A record 65.6 million people were forcibly displaced in 2016. While refugees often experience mental health issues, many recover within a year if resettled into supportive environments.

common mental disordershealth disparitiesrefugeesocial determinantsincome inequality
(2017)

Mental Health for Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Displaced Persons: A Call for a Humanitarian Agenda

Millions of people are forcibly displaced globally, often facing mental health challenges and poor access to care. Receiving countries exhibit varied responses, impacting displaced persons' well-being and integration.

refugeesasylum seekersmental healthdisplacementtraumahumanitarian response
(2017)

Russell v. State

The AR Supreme Court rejected ineffective assistance claims. The court held that expert testimony about trauma and mental illness was considered, despite disagreements over PTSD evaluation validity.

ineffective assistance claimsexpert testimonytraumamental illnessPTSD evaluationsscientific validity
(2017)

Testifying About Trauma: A Call for Science and Civility

The article finds that focusing on a PTSD diagnosis in legal cases can hinder understanding the true impact of trauma. It suggests trauma-informed evaluations are a more ethical approach than strictly adhering to diagnostic labels.

TraumaPTSDExpert WitnessLegal ProceedingsDiagnostic CriteriaTrauma-Informed CarePersonal NarrativeDSM-5Psychic TraumaForensic Context
(2017)

An Integrated Neuroscience Perspective on Formulation and Treatment Planning for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Educational Review

PTSD, first diagnosed in 1980, describes lasting difficulty recovering from trauma. It is caused by the brain's learned fear responses, where neutral cues become triggers for distress and avoidance.

PTSDTraumaFear ConditioningNeurobiologyEpigeneticsMemory ReconsolidationDysregulated CircuitsGeneticsPsychotherapyStress Response
(2017)

Brief of Amicus Curiae the Innocence Project, Inc. in Support of Defendant-Appellant

The Innocence Project supports reversing a conviction based on cross-racial identification. It argues scientific evidence shows a higher risk of misidentification when witnesses and defendants are of different races.

Cross-racial identificationInnocence Projecteyewitness identificationcross-race effectwrongful convictionsjury instructionsDNA evidencemisidentification
(2017)

Brief of Amicus Curiae the Innocence Project

This brief argues for limiting first-time in-court stranger identifications due to scientific research on mistaken eyewitness accounts. It asserts these identifications are suggestive, lack value, and can lead to wrongful convictions.

mistaken eyewitness identificationssuggestivestrangerprejudicialInnocence Project
(2017)

Brief of the American Psychological Association as Amicus Curiae in Support of Defendant-Appellant

The brief argues juries should be informed about the unreliability of cross-racial identifications. This instruction is needed because research shows own-race bias, jurors often misunderstand it, and mistaken IDs cause wrongful convictions.

cross-racial identificationsown-race biaseyewitness identificationswrongful convictionsjury instructionsjuror understandingmistaken identity
(2017)

Brief for Amicus Curiae the Innocence Project Supporting Petitioner-Appellant and Urging Reversal

This brief argues that Gregory Bolin’s conviction should be reversed. It asserts that the conviction relied too heavily on flawed eyewitness identification, a type of evidence often linked to wrongful convictions.

Eyewitness identificationfalse convictionswrongful convictionsjury reasoningeyewitness testimonyunreliabilitypolice pressure
(2017)

Brief for the American Psychological Association as Amicus Curiae in Support of Appellant

The brief argues that single-photograph identifications are inherently suggestive and should be presumed inadmissible. Such identifications distort memory and create a high risk of wrongful conviction.

Single-photograph identificationsinadmissibledistort memorywitness confidencewrongful convictionwitness confidencememory distortion
(2017)

Mental Health and Trauma in Asylum Seekers Landing in Sicily in 2015: a Descriptive Study of Neglected Invisible Wounds

Forcibly displaced individuals, including asylum seekers in Italy, often face significant mental health challenges due to trauma and post-migration stress. Access to mental health care is limited for these vulnerable populations.

asylum seekersmental healthPTSDdepressiontraumamigrationItaly
(2017)

Commonwealth v. Henry

The SJC ruled judges must consider a defendant's ability to pay restitution and cannot extend probation due to poverty. This reasoning has been used to challenge mandatory abstinence conditions.

restitutionprobationpovertyindigent defendantsprobation conditions
(2016)

A Neuroscience Perspective on Sexual Risk Behavior in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood

Young people (15-24) account for 50% of new STIs and have high rates of unintended pregnancies. This is linked to low condom use and multiple partners, and "heat of the moment" decisions despite knowing risks.

TeenagersYoung adultsRisky sexual behaviorsThreatsRewardsDecision-makingControlRisk-taking
(2016)

Marshall v. Eyecare Specialties, P.C. of Lincoln

The Nebraska Supreme Court found alcoholism can be a disability under state law. However, the employee's firing was upheld, as it was due to performance, not her addiction.

alcoholismdisabilityemployerfiredaddictionperformance issuesemployee
(2016)