NCJ Number
142686
Date Published
1990
Length
397 pages
Annotation
The thesis of this volume, designed as a sourcebook and a coursebook for researchers and students, is that mental health law would serve society better if major efforts were undertaken to study and improve the role of the law as a therapeutic agent.
Abstract
An overview chapter which summarizes some of the illustrative but sparse research and commentary accompanies selections devoted to law-related psychological dysfunction and therapeutic aspects of the law, the legal system, and lawyer roles. The intent throughout the volume is to raise questions about possible relationships between legal arrangements and therapeutic outcomes. Some concrete examples illustrate three of the ways the law may contribute to psychological dysfunction: discourage individuals from seeking needed treatment, encourage persons to receive unnecessary treatment or to act in a dysfunctional manner, and lead persons to regard themselves as dysfunctional or lacking in control. 1,220 footnotes, 2 figures, and 9 tables