“Problem Situations”: Testing as a Forensic Psychiatric Research Method when Changing Civil Legal Status

Abstract

As part of solving the task of developing methods to improve the quality and evidence of forensic psychiatric decisions, in a comparative non-randomized study the “Problem Situations” methodology was tested as a method of forensic psychiatric assessment in civil cases on applications for change civil legal status. The sample consisted of 67 subjects who underwent inpatient forensic psychiatric examination in connection with the decision on the issue of changing their civil status in 2021—2022. A conclusion corresponding to legal capacity was given in relation to 12 people; diminished legal capacity - 24 people; incapacity — 31 people. Pairwise group comparisons using Pearson’s goodness-of-fit test (Chi-square) and biclustering procedures confirmed the predictive validity of the method.