100 Chapter 4 and 65 years, completed higher professional education, mastered the Dutch language, had a stable psychosocial situation (e.g., no mental health problems requiring assistance), were willing to spend time with a patient for a couple of hours every 2 weeks over a minimum period of 12 months, showed adequate communicational skills and a proper attitude (i.e., open-minded, non-judgmental, patient, positive, and trustworthy) based on the coordinators’ impression during the interview, expressed affinity with the complex forensic psychiatric population, and provided a certificate of good conduct issued by the screening authority of the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security showing that coaches’ (judicial) past did not constitute an objection to performing a specific task or function in society. Written information regarding the study procedures was provided to coaches after selection, before the start of the intervention. Furthermore, coaches were verbally informed about the research project and data collection by researchers during their training. Informed consent from coaches was obtained verbally prior to assessments. Intervention De Regenboog Groep was responsible for the selection, training, matching, and supervision of coaches during the FNC-intervention. Before the start of FNC, intake appointments with the coordinator and eligible patients were arranged to determine patient motivation (i.e., patients’ willingness to meet a coach), patient-specific network goals, interests, and preferences. The coaches received a training program consisting of three components: (1) 3-hour training to inform coaches about practical information and an informal social network intervention entitled Natuurlijk, een netwerkcoach! [Of course, a network coach!] that they could use as a tool while working on social network enhancement with patients (Mezzo, 2015; Swinkels et al., 2020); (2) 9-hour training for volunteers to enhance basic coaching skills; and (3) 2-hour training to inform coaches about forensic mental healthcare and the provision of care – how to provide coaching for the specific population of forensic psychiatric outpatients – as well as coaches’ expectations, attitudes, and commitment. Throughout the FNC-intervention period, preferably within 2 months from baseline assessment, eligible patients were matched to a coach (one-to-one) based on the personal preferences of both patients and coaches regarding personal characteristics (e.g., sex, age, ethnicity, and interests). If matching was successful – both patient and coach agreed to continue participation after the first acquaintance – coaches were instructed to contact patients and organize appointments for a couple of hours every 14 days over the course of eight to 12 months. If matching was unsuccessful or if the intervention was terminated prematurely by either patient or coach, patients were given the opportunity to restart at any time between baseline and post-assessment. In the first 3 to 6 months of FNC, coaches
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