Violent Offender Treatment in the Field
Violent Offender Treatment in the Field
Discussion question 1:
Please answer the following question: Post a brief description of the research article you selected. Include the type of violent offense and the treatment approach used. Then explain which treatment outcome model you would use to measure the success of the treatment approach and why. Be specific.
My Research Article Selected is: Substance Abuse Disorders Common Among Sex Offenders.
Mental disorders in a forensic sample of sexual offenders
A Leue, B Borchard, J Hoyer – European Psychiatry, 2004 – cambridge.org
… Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and substance use disorders were common among
sexual offenders, as were cluster B and cluster C personality disorders. While social phobia was …
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Abstract
Objective
The present study examined the prevalence of DSM IV axis I disorders and DSM IV personality disorders among sexual offenders in Forensic State Hospitals in Germany.
Method
Current and lifetime prevalence rates of mental disorders were investigated based on clinical structured interviews among sexual offenders (n = 55). Additionally, subgroups were analyzed on the basis of diagnostic research criteria, with 30 sexual offenders classified as paraphiliacs and 25 sexual offenders as having an impulse control disorder (without paraphilia).
Results
Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and substance use disorders were common among sexual offenders, as were cluster B and cluster C personality disorders. While social phobia was most common among paraphilic sexual offenders, major depression was most prevalent in impulse control disordered sexual offenders.
Conclusion
The results replicate recent findings of high psychiatric morbidity in sexual offenders placed in forensic facilities. Furthermore, differential patterns of co-morbid mental disorders were found in paraphiliacs and impulse control disordered sexual offenders. With regard to an effective therapy and relapse prevention co-morbid mental disorders should be a greater focus in the assessment of subgroups of sexual offenders.
A total of 461 male sex offenders were compared on their histories of alcohol and street drug use. The Drug Use Survey, Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), and Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) were examined to provide measures of 1) type and frequency of substance use, 2) mood on alcohol and drugs, and 3) alcoholism and drug abuse. Most sex offenders had used alcohol and they had tried a wide range of street drugs. Over half of the sample had tried at least one street drug, including minor tranquilizers, amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, narcotics, phencyclidine, hallucinogens, and solvents. Marijuana was used most. Over one half of the sex offenders were alcoholics, based on the MAST. Results of the DAST suggested that less than a fifth of the sample had a drug abuse problem at the time of examination. Although the majority experienced positive affect in conjunction with alcohol and drug use, between one fifth and one half experienced depressed affect. Use of alcohol and amphetamines were most often associated with hostile feelings. Amphetamine and hallucinogen use were associated most with paranoia. Respondents felt most ‘out of control’ with cocaine and hallucinogens. Results are discussed in terms of the role of substance abuse and violence in sex offences.
References
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Allnutt, SHBradford, JMWGreenberg, DMCurry, S.Co-morbidity of alcoholism and the paraphilias. J Forensic Sci 1996;41:234–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
[2]
Berger, PBerner, WBolterauer, JGuitierrez, KBerger, K.Sadistic personality disorder in sexual offenders: relationship to antisocial personality disorder and sexual sadism. J PersDisord 1999;13:175–86.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
[3]
Berner, WBerger, PGuitierrez, KJordan, BBerger, K.The role of personality disorders in the treatment of sexual offenders. J Offender Rehabil 1992;18:25–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[4]
Brink, JHDoherty, DBoer, A.Mental disorder in federal offenders: a Canadian prevalence study. Int Law Psychiatr 2001;24:339–56.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
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Chantry, KCraig, RJ.Psychological screening of sexually violent offenders with the MCMI. J ClinPsychol 1994;50:430–5.3.0.CO;2-W>CrossRefGoogleScholarPubMed
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First, MBGibbon, MSpitzer, RLWilliams, JBWBenjamin, L.Structured clinical interview for DSM-IV axis II personality disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press; 1997.Google Scholar
• Aarens, M., Blain, A., Buckley, S., & Cameron, J. (1977). Epidemiological literature on alcohol, casualties, and crime. Systematic quantitative summaries. Report, Berkeley, University California, School of Public Health.
• American Psychiatric Association. (1980).Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-III). Washington, DC.
• Bain, J., Langevin, R., Dickey, R., & Ben-Aron, M. (1987). SEx hormones in murderers and assaulters.Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 5, 95–101.
Discussion: Violent Offender Treatment in the Field
When violent offenders are referred to treatment, it is imperative that treatment providers recognize treatment process challenges and their impact on the selection of effective treatment strategies and approaches. Recognizing challenges to successful treatment allows providers to adapt their treatment approaches and the desired treatment outcomes. Clearly stated desired treatment outcomes are particularly important when working with violent client populations; you need to know what defines success for each offender. Does it mean the offender will never be violent or aggressive again? Does it mean the offender will do less harm to those around him or her than in the past? Or will successful treatment result in the offender not returning to prison with the conviction of a violent crime? An agreed-upon treatment outcome and ensuing successful treatment have implications for the violent offender and society at large.
To prepare for this Discussion:
• Review the course document, Treatment Outcome Models document, provided in the introduction area to this week’s discussion, and think about how each outcome model is used to determine the success of treatment.
• Review the article “Understanding Clinical Anger and Violence: The Anger Avoidance Model” in this week’s Learning Resources. Reflect on using the anger avoidance model with violent offenders.
• Review the article “Mindfulness and the Treatment of Anger Problems” in this week’s Learning Resources. Focus on using mindfulness-based interventions with violent offenders.
• Review the course media “Psychological Support for Violent Prisoners” and “Gang Activity Inside Prison” from Inside Wabash. Think about the challenges related to the successful treatment of violent forensic populations.
• Review the course media”Control of Violence in Prison” from The Criminal Mind. Consider traditional and nontraditional approaches to reducing violence in forensic populations.
• Select a treatment approach for violent offenders that is of particular interest to you.
• Conduct an academic search in the Walden Library. Select at least one scholarly article from a peer-reviewed journal that discusses the treatment approach you selected—an approach that demonstrates efficacy in treating violent offender populations.
• Reflect on the treatment outcome models as they relate to the research article you selected. Think about how the treatment approach you selected might be evaluated using the treatment outcome models.
• Select one treatment outcome model that you think would be most effective for measuring the success of your selected treatment approach and consider why.
With these thoughts in mind:
By Day 4
Post by Day 4 a brief description of the two real-life examples you selected. Then explain the consequences of inadequate and/or incorrect forensic psychological evaluations in criminal matters. Finally, use the examples you selected to illustrate and justify your points. Be specific and reference the Learning Resources.
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