Developing a Scale for Assessing the Forensic Experience of Recovery : the SAFER questionnaire and clinical research portfolio

• Main Author: Quill, Emma
• Published: University of Glasgow 2015
• Subjects: 616.89; BF Psychology
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.666409

Developing a Scale for Assessing the Forensic Experience of Recovery: the SAFER questionnaire and Clinical Research Portfolio Abstract Background: A conceptual framework of recovery was developed through systematic identification of five key processes - Connectedness, hope/optimism, identity, meaning in life and empowerment (CHIME). There are increasing efforts to implement recovery focused interventions in forensic setting. To date there has not been a self-report recovery measure developed for this population. Aims: The primary aim was to develop a self-report recovery measure for forensic service-users, conceptually based on the Good Lives Model (GLM) of offender rehabilitation and the CHIME model of recovery. Secondary aims were to explore the concurrent validity, test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the measure. Method: The processes of recovery outlined in CHIME and the description of primary goods from the GLM were explored to identify overlapping constructs. When researchers reached a consensus on the connection between constructs, items for the questionnaire were developed. The questionnaire was titled SAFER (The Scale for Assessing the Forensic Experience of Recovery). A cross-sectional pilot study was devised to evaluate concurrent validity, test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the SAFER. Results: Forty-six forensic inpatients in low, medium and high secure facilities participated. Results show the SAFER had concurrent validity, good test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Conclusions: The findings offer preliminary evidence for the validity and reliability of the SAFER. Further, larger scale research is necessary to evaluate additional psychometric properties. Declaration of interest: none.