Trauma, Attachment, and NeurodevelopmentImplications for Treating Sexual Behavior Problems (From Handbook of Sex Offender Treatment, P 15-1 - 15-26, 2011, Barbara K. Schwartz, ed. - See NCJ-243091)

• NCJ Number: 243106
• Author(s): Kevin Creeden, M.A.
• Date Published: 2011
• Length: 26 pages
• Sale Source: Civic Research Institute, Inc
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical); Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

After reviewing recent research on how early trauma and disrupted interpersonal attachment impacts the neurodevelopment of children, this chapter examines the implications of this research for the development of assessment protocols and treatment interventions for sexual offenders.

Abstract

The research review indicates that trauma and stress can influence the adaptive developmental path along which the brain organizes itself. The timing and persistence of the trauma combined with the environmental response to the child during times of stress, most notably by the child's primary caretakers, significantly affects the structural and functional nature of those pathways. Consequently, the degree of symptomatology, the level of impairment, and the pervasiveness of maladaptive behaviors are likely to be varied and complex. Regarding attachment to caretakers, research has shown that proximity to a secure and trusted figure during periods of perceived danger and stress, as well as developing and sustaining secure attachment relationships, increases feelings of security, mastery, self-esteem, and social competence. In contrast, the loss, inconsistency, or unavailability of secure attachment can lead to sorrow, anxiety, anger, and confusion. The chapter concludes that there is sufficient research to indicate that the clinical perspective regarding sexually inappropriate and abusive behavior must be significantly broadened to include developmental and neurological factors as primary components in the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders. The chapter argues for multimodal assessment that measures cognitive functioning, current trauma symptomatology, and attachment style. The chapter suggests assessment instruments that might be used in combination to conduct a multimodal assessment. The discussion of implications for treatment addresses trauma-focused treatment, phased treatment, the importance of containment, understanding the processing of trauma, and integration. 1 figure and 129 references