Measuring risk in a high security forensic setting through the behavioural status index

This paper reports data analysis for the Behavioural Status Index risk sub-scale. Data were collected, using a repeated measures method by primary nurses, from a sample of 503 individual patients in two high security mental health hospitals. Results are reported for descriptive statistics, and factor analysis; and differences between the independent groups of Mental Health Act 1983 classification, ward dependency and gender. Data trends are indicative of clinically interesting relationships. A distinct factorial structure emerged suggesting groupings of attentional, violent, destructive, iconic-compensatory and escapist behaviours. Results are reported to be underpinning current European studies.