The Certification of Emotional Support Animals: Differences Between Clinical and Forensic Mental Health Practitioners
The Certification of Emotional Support Animals: Differences Between Clinical and Forensic Mental Health Practitioners
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DOI：
10.1037/pro0000147
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发表时间：
2017-06-01
影响因子：
1.5
通讯作者：
Frumkin, I. Bruce
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Boness, Cassandra L.;Younggren, Jeffrey N.;Frumkin, I. Bruce
越来越多的人向有执照的精神卫生专业人员索要情感支持动物(ESA)“信件”。然而，目前还没有进行这些评估的标准。目前的研究试图在一个特定的样本中检查(1)大约有多少和什么类型的精神卫生专业人员正在进行ESA评估，以及(2)探索这些从业者使用或将使用什么工具来进行这样的评估。通过对87名精神卫生专业人员的抽样调查，其中31.4%的人实际提出了ESA建议，本研究表明，当前样本中的临床和法医都提出了ESA建议，并认为治疗精神卫生专业人员就是否需要ESA提供意见是合适的。这表明，当前样本中的任何一组都没有认识到当一组人混合法医和临床功能时出现的潜在角色冲突。此外，调查结果显示，与临床从业者相比，法医从业者明显更有可能选择更复杂和具有取证效力的评估工具(例如，伪装评估)进行ESA评估。最后，我们为从业者提供了一系列建议，供他们选择进行欧空局评估。
There is a growing trend of individuals requesting emotional support animal (ESA) "letters" from licensed mental health professionals. However, no current standards exist for making these evaluations. The current study sought to examine, within a specific sample, (1) roughly how many and what type of mental health professionals are making ESA evaluations and (2) to explore what instruments these practitioners used, or would use, for making such an evaluation. Through the use of a sample of 87 mental health professionals, 31.4% of whom have actually made ESA recommendations, the current study demonstrates that both clinical and forensic practitioners within the current sample are making ESA recommendations and believe it is appropriate for treating mental health professional to offer an opinion on the need for an ESA. This demonstrates that neither group in the current sample recognizes the potential role conflicts this presents when one mixes forensic and clinical functions. Further, results of the survey revealed that forensic practitioners were significantly more likely to choose more complex and forensically valid assessment instruments (e.g., malingering assessment) for ESA evaluations when compared with clinical practitioners. We conclude with a set of recommendations for practitioners to choose to conduct ESA evaluations.