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ERIC Number: EJ1017936
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1555-7855
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
What Were We Thinking? Five Erroneous Assumptions That Have Fueled Specialized Interventions for Adolescents Who Have Sexually Offended
Worling, James R.
International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, v8 n3-4 p80-88 2013
Since the early 1980s, five assumptions have influenced the assessment, treatment, and community supervision of adolescents who have offended sexually. In particular, interventions with this population have been informed by the assumptions that these youth are (i) deviant, (ii) delinquent, (iii) disordered, (iv) deficit-ridden, and (v) deceitful. There is very little research to support these beliefs, however, and some researchers and clinicians have long pointed out that adolescents who commit sexual crimes are heterogeneous and that there is no typical profile. Indeed, many adolescents who commit sexual crimes display healthy sexual interests, are prosocial in their orientation, are not psychiatrically disordered, can be described by many strengths and protective factors, and are open regarding past sexual crimes and their sexual interests. If the goal of intervention is to help adolescents to prevent future offenses, then it is essential for all involved in their care to be more critical of these erroneous assumptions that have influenced the field for the past several decades.
Joseph Cautilli, Ph.D. & The Behavior Analyst Online Organization. 535 Queen Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-3220. Tel: 215-462-6737; Web site: http://www.baojournal.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A