Preliminary Development of Trauma-Focused Treatment Groups for Incarcerated Juvenile Offenders (From Trauma and Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Research, and Interventions, P 175-199, 2002, Ricky Greenwald, ed., -- See NCJ-198433)

• NCJ Number: 198441
• Author(s): Robert A. McMackin; Mary B. Leisen; Leslie Sattler; Karen Krinsley; David S. Riggs
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 25 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Maltreatment and Trauma Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Program Description (Demonstrative)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter discusses the development of group therapy services for incarcerated male juvenile offenders with histories of trauma exposure and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Abstract

Recent studies have documented high rates of trauma exposure among juvenile offenders. These events include childhood physical and/or sexual abuse, serious life threats and/or injuries, witnessing severe injury and/or death of another, and being involved in gang violence. Such exposure may lead to the development of PTSD and other problems such as psychological problems and life stress. Protective factors that mitigate against the development of PTSD are a well-developed sense of self and strong family/community support. Most treatment protocols for PTSD and trauma exposure were developed for adults and children rather than for adolescents. Skills training and therapeutic exposure are two effective approaches to treating trauma-related psychological difficulties. Skills training includes a number of interventions aimed at improving an individual’s ability to cope with and manage emotional reactions related to traumatic memories. Direct therapeutic exposure includes desensitization, flooding, and prolonged exposure methods and requires the client to directly confront traumatic cues and memories within a supportive environment. Trauma treatment groups were based on education, self-paced controlled exposure, and skill development, through the use of cognitive-behavioral and expressive arts techniques, and were provided to juvenile offenders in residential placement. The groups were an initial attempt to address trauma related issues in over 20 delinquent youth. Group participants indicated that sharing their trauma experiences both directly and symbolically were the most important parts of the groups. They came to recognize the association between their trauma experience and their criminal acting-out, and their use of violence and substance abuse as coping mechanisms. All groups were conducted in highly controlled treatment environments where the members’ behavior was monitored and clinical support was available. 70 references