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Dissertation
Mental illness as a mediator of competent behavior in persons with mental retardation
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Mar 2005
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-471
Abstract
Competency to stand trial is adjudicated significantly more often than other competency doctrines (Melton, Petrila, Poythress, & Slobogin, 1997) and is imperative in ensuring a defendant's right to due process and a fair trial (Ellis & Luckasson, 1985). Individuals with mental retardation are increasingly involved in the criminal justice system (Everington & Keyes, 1999) and there is evidence to indicate that a disproportionate number of this population are represented in the prison system (Conley, Luckasson, & Bouthilet, 1992). A large percentage of persons with mental retardation also suffer from concomitant mental disorders (Nezu, Nezu, & Gill-Weiss, 1992), which can exacerbate deficits associated with mental retardation further compromising competence-related abilities (Appelbaum & Appelbaum, 1994). Therefore, this legal doctrine is especially relevant for defendants with mental retardation and co-occurring mental illnesses, as previous research has demonstrated that deficits in intellectual functioning and adaptive skills (e.g., poor problem-solving skills, impaired memory, deficits in communication skills) may negatively impact on competence-related abilities. This study extended the research on persons with mental retardation by investigating mental illness as a mediator in the relationship between intellectual functioning and competence-related abilities. Sixty-eight adult males with mild mental retardation participated in this study. In addition to records review and information obtained through a collateral informant, each participant was administered several inventories designed to measure IQ, adaptive functioning, the presence of mental illness, and skills associated with competency to stand trial. Although mental illness was not significantly related to competence-related abilities, IQ, particularly Vocabulary, was highly related to competence-related abilities. The hypothesis that mental illness mediates the relationship between IQ and competence-related abilities was not supported. Limitations to the study include a small sample size, estimations of full-scale IQ and scores on a defendant's ability to understand personal case events. Future research should continue to examine the impact of specific cognitive deficits on specific competence-related abilities. Understanding the obstacles that prevent a defendant from attaining competency to stand trial is imperative to their habilitation and treatment aimed at restoring them to competency.
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Details
- Title
- Mental illness as a mediator of competent behavior in persons with mental retardation
- Creators
- Michelle Ann Peacock - DU
- Contributors
- Christine M. Nezu (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 471; 991014632620004721