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The slide to pragmatism: a values-based understanding of 'dangerous' personality disorders

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 08:41 authored by Susie ScottSusie Scott, Debbie Jones, Rachel Ballinger, Gillian Bendelow, Bill Fulford
This paper reports on a qualitative study of UK mental health practitioners' experiences of working with the contested condition, Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder (DSPD). Our interviews focused on the issues of treatability, risk assessment and decision-making in multi-disciplinary teams. We discuss the approach of Values-Based Medicine (VBM) as a useful framework for interpreting the data: respondents cited both explicit values (based on occupational training) and implicit values (based on personal beliefs and subjective perceptions). There was evidence of conflicting values - within individuals, between occupational groups, and between individuals in occupational groups - which led to widespread uncertainty and caution about whether and how those with 'dangerous' personality disorders could be treated. These disputes were resolved by a 'slide to pragmatism', whereby practitioners, reluctantly acknowledging their own empowerment in the process, sought to make whichever choice was least risky for their own professional reputation, and most pragmatic, given the resources available

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Health Sociology Review

ISSN

1446-1242

Publisher

e-Content Management

Issue

2

Volume

20

Page range

157-171

Department affiliated with

  • Sociology and Criminology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2013-02-15

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    University of Sussex (Publications)

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