Archive for the ‘CHICAGO CRIME’ Category

After a week of deadly shootings across the country, including at least six-high profile rampages that killed 24 people, Americans are asking what made these mass murderers snap.

A man guns down five people at a city council meeting in Missouri. In Los Angeles, a standoff leaves four family members and a police officer dead. On the campus of Louisiana Tech, a nursing student kills two of her peers before turning the weapon on herself. In Maryland a gunman opens fire in a restaurant, killing three. Last weekend in suburban Chicago, five people were killed inside a Lane Bryant store.

One expert says the common element in all these horrible crimes is the desire for attention.

“Mass homicide is a crime that can be completely eliminated by the press, teachers, parents and society. If we take the incentive of attention out of it, we can eliminate it,” forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Welner said today on “Good Morning America Weekend.”

Kirkwood Killer

Charles Lee “Cookie” Thornton, who shot five people at a city council meeting in Kirkwood, Mo., on Thursday, was described by friends as regular guy who battled the town over parking tickets and the right to speak at council meetings.

“He wasn’t crazy. He knew what he was going to do,” said his mother, Annie Bell Thornton. “All these years, I just feel it had just taken a toll on him.”

Seeking Notoriety

“Rampage killings have an important common thread of someone seeking notoriety. Someone who feels they are a failure, who had high expectations for themselves, and sees the attention that these shooters get and says, ‘I can get that.Somebody will care about my manifesto. Somebody will care about my letter,’” Welner said.

The media’s focus on the manifesto and the life of the criminal appeals to these killers who feel like failures that nobody notices, Welner said.

“[Robert] Hawkins in Nebraska who said ‘I’ll be famous that’s why I did it.’ He taught us something, we made him famous. We should not be focusing on the manifesto. We should be focusing on the suffering,” Welner said, referring to the 19-year-old who opened fired in December in an Omaha mall, killing eight people before turning the gun on himself.

Attention and Anger

“We have to take the Paris Hilton attention-seeking out of crime, or strangers and innocent people will be killed,” Welner said.

Not all of the recent mass killers have seemed like classic attention-seekers, though. For example, the suspect in the Lane Bryant killings shot six people while carrying out a robbery attempt, police said, and he is still on the run. And Thornton had a grudge over a specific battle with city hall.

Welner, however, said that even in these cases the anger that led to the killings was ultimately fueled by the shooters’ perceptions that no one was noticing them.

“It’s about anger in a person who has a sense of failure. What he says is, ‘My life is going nowhere, and I failed. But this is my ticket. I can undo all of my disappointments in an instant. Everybody will care about my grudge, everybody will care about whom I am,’” Welner said.

If a person knows that no matter how many people he kills he will “be ignored or thought of as a pervert or pariah, it takes the incentive out.”

Super Bowl Tragedy Averted

Last Sunday, Kurt William Havelock drove to the site of the Super Bowl with an assault rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition, vowing to “shed the blood of the innocent,” as he wrote in a manifesto that he mailed to media outlets.

For some reason Havelock changed his mind when he reached a parking lot near the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., where fans were enjoying pre-game celebrations. He called the police and turned himself in.

“He thought about others, instead of thinking about himself,” Welner said. “The guy at the Super Bowl turned back because he focused on humanity of the victims.”

“It’s a crime of indulgence, to say my fame is more important than your life, but if some spark of humanity can kindle in someone & if we can make those people & connect to the suffering and humanity of it, then they will stop and they will see there’s no answer,” Welner said.

Henry Funk

Often I wondered what it could be like to grow up with one’s parents in prison. A few days ago I brought up this question during a meeting with a group of educators in Chicago. But their varying views didn’t suffice my curiosity.

There are over 2 million children in the US who have one or more parents in prison. If we begin with the idea that a child needs his parents, it would be important to study how parental absence affects a child.

In ‘Between Parents and Child’ Dr Haim Ginott underscores the fact that a child’s greatest fear is of being unloved or abandoned by his parents. And this same belief was echoed and immortalized by John Steinbeck in his novel ‘East of Eden.’ ”The greatest terror a child can have is that he is not loved, and rejection is the hell he fears…And with rejection comes anger and with angers some kind of crime in revenge.” Deep inside him, a child doesn’t understand why his parent left. To him, he has been abandoned, therefore unattended, unloved and rejected. To the child, the reason of his parent’s imprisonment or divorce takes a back seat to the simple fact that the parent is gone and will no longer be involved in the child’s day-to-day life.

If our children are the backbone of our society then both divorce and parental incarceration go against the best interest of our future society. Should a child have more time to spend with his imprisoned or non-custodial parent?

Parenting is a social responsibility and every parent should have the right to parenting: imprisoned, divorced or otherwise. But the idea of the right to parenting by the imprisoned should not be confused with comfort. It isn’t the prison that is the punishment but the deprivation of liberty, no comfort in the world can compensate for a locked door!

A child’s fundamental right is to receive love from his parents; and reciprocally every parent should have the right to give that love to their child. Given that 80% of prisoners  in the US come from fatherless homes, future crimes as well as the number of criminals could be greatly reduced if our lawmakers focused on building effective measures to preserve the traditional idea of “family”. Through accessible free-counseling, and support groups, through information and education this could be achieved!

However, it is important to underline that there is strong public opinion against forcing couples to stay together. So how do we prevent families from breaking up in the first place? In our childhood, we study the basics of everything…some science, some math, some history and geography but we remain unexposed to something more important: studies of the importance of our relationship with others. Decades ago, sex-education was put in place by our past lawmakers as part of the process to deal with teenage pregnancy and the spread of STD s. If our current lawmakers made an effort to consider the inclusion of some form of “relationship-education” in educational institutions like they did for sex-education in the past, the health of our society is more likely to improve. And with some luck, our future generation would probably embrace the idea of reformation through the preservation of traditional social values.

Alistair Banerjee
http://www.articlesbase.com/causes-and-organizations-articles/parental-incarceration-and-divorce-my-daddy-doesnt-love-me-anymore-by-alistair-banerjee-730400.html

It is the American dream. To buy a beautiful house with the white picket fence, and raise a family in a safe neighborhood, where crime is almost nonexistent was reality for many families of generations past but unfortunately has become wishful thinking in the 21st century.

With the recent murders of singer/actress Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother in their Chicago home, Americans have once again come to the sad realization that no one is above tragedy and anyone could become the next victim of a violent crime. In many presidential elections, the issues that candidates often stress are those on a national level such as the economy or national security. But what would the presidential candidates do to address crime prevention and assist state and local law enforcement officials in making American streets a safer place to live?

According to Barack Obama’s official website, he and running mate Joe Biden would fully fund the COPS program to put 50,000 police officers on American streets and also address the issue of police brutality that is so prevalent in communities of color. As a result of understaffing at many police departments, the Democratic ticket will also encourage more young people to enter the field of law enforcement.

Republican John McCain also supports federally funding state and local law enforcement agencies but believes rampant earmarking of federal funds to the local level has reduced funding to those jurisdictions that are in most need. According to his official website, “John McCain will restore credibility to these grant programs by ensuring funding is based on need and provided to the most worthy jurisdictions based on a peer-review of grant applications.”

Both McCain and Obama also support reducing crime recidivism by enacting programs that help former inmates readapt to society. According to BarackObama.com, “Obama and Biden will create a prison-to-work incentive program, modeled on the successful Welfare-to-Work Partnership and work to reform correctional systems to break down barriers for ex-offenders to find employment.”

Consequently, McCain supported the Second Chance Act, which will provide up to $360 million for reentry services from 2009-2010. The Second Chance Act funds many faith-based programs that help former prisoners transition back into mainstream society by providing job training, counseling and mentors. Many of these programs have reported reducing recidivism rates by 50 percent. According to JohnMcCain.com, the annual cost of incarcerating a prisoner is more than $20,000.

Obama plans to address crime prevention in many cities by respecting the Second Amendment rights of gun owners but at the same time keeping guns away from helpless children. According to his website, “(Obama and Biden) support closing the gun show loophole and making guns in this country childproof. They also support making the expired federal Assault Weapons Ban permanent; as such weapons belong on foreign battlefields and not our streets.”

The Democrats also wants to see an end to racial profiling, as Obama passed a law in his home state that required the Illinois Department of Transportation to record the ethnicities, gender and age of all drivers stopped.

To post your opinion on the presidential election visit www.regalmag.com/forum.

Todd A. Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/where-do-the-candidates-stand-on-crime-prevention-691290.html

Reactive Attachment Disorder is a severe developmental disorder caused by a chronic history of maltreatment during the first couple of years of life. Reactive Attachment Disorder is frequently misdiagnosed by mental health professionals who do not have the appropriate training and experience evaluating and treating such children and adults. Often, children in the child welfare system have a variety of previous diagnoses. The behaviors and symptoms that are the basis for these previous diagnoses are better conceptualized as resulting from disordered attachment. Oppositional Defiant Disorder behaviors are subsumed under Reactive Attachment Disorder. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms are the result of a significant history of abuse and neglect and are another dimension of attachment disorder. Attention problems, and even Psychotic Disorder symptoms are often seen in children with disorganized attachment 1.

Approximately 2% of the population is adopted, and between 50% and 80% of such children have attachment disorder symptoms[2]. Many of these children are violent[3] and aggressive[4] and as adults are at risk of developing a variety of psychological problems[5] and personality disorders, including antisocial personality disorder[6], narcissistic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and psychopathic personality disorder[7]. Neglected children are at risk of social withdrawal, social rejection, and pervasive feelings of incompetence[8]. Children who have histories of abuse and neglect are at significant risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as adults[9]. Children who have been sexually abused are at significant risk of developing anxiety disorders (2.0 times the average), major depressive disorders (3.4 times average), alcohol abuse (2.5 times average), drug abuse (3.8 times average), and antisocial behavior (4.3 times average)[10] (MacMillian, 2001). The effective treatment of such children is a public health concern (Walker, Goodwin, & Warren, 1992).

Left untreated, children who have been abused and neglected and who have an attachment disorder become adults whose ability to develop and maintain healthy relationships is deeply damaged. Without placement in an appropriate permanent home and effective treatment, the condition will worsen. Many children with attachment disorders develop borderline personality disorder or anti-social personality disorder as adults[11].

So, what is a person to do? Is there effective treatment for disorders of attachment? The answer is yes; there is an effective treatment for disorders of attachment. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy[12] is an evidence-based treatment that has proven success treating attachment disorders[13]. Family therapy, individual therapy, play therapy, residential placements, and intensive outpatient treatment, among other treatments, are often used to treat attachment disorders. However, when compared with Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, these treatments proved to be ineffective. A follow-up study compared the effectiveness of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and “usual care,” and found that Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy produced clinically and statistically significant improvements one year after treatment ended. The study was composed of 34 families receiving Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and 30 families receiving “usual care.”

Before treatment/evaluation in both the treatment and control groups, Randolph Attachment Disorder Questionnaire scores and Child Behavior Checklist scale scores were elevated and in clinically significant ranges (more than two standard deviations above the mean for the CBCL). The extent and severity of these children’s disorder is underscored by the fact that 82% of the treatment group and 83% of the control-group subjects had received prior treatment using other methods. The average number of previous treatment episodes was 3.2 for the treatment group and 2.7 for the control group.

The results for the treatment-group were achieved among children aged six to fifteen years, averaging 9.4 years, who received an average of twenty-three sessions over eleven months. Results presented in Table 1 show clinically and statistically significant reductions in scores for the treatment group and Table 2 shows no change for the control group.

TABLE 1

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy

N=34, df=33

measure

mean

Pre-test


SD

Pre-test

mean

Post-test

sd

Post-test

t-value

p value

CBCL Syndrome Scale Scores

Withdrawn

65

11.8

54

6.0

4.897

<.0001

Anxious/Depressed

62

10.5

58

8.1

2.665

.006

Social Problems

67

9.7

59

5.5

4.376

<.0001

Thought Problems

68

9.5

56

3.9

6.133

<.0001

Attention Problems

72

12.5

57

6.1

5.836

<.0001

Rule-Breaking Behavior

69

6.9

53

3.8

12.181

<.0001

Aggressive Behavior

71

9.1

55

4.5

10.576

<.0001

TABLE 2

“USUAL CARE” GROUP

N=30, df=29

measure

mean

Pre-test


SD

Pre-test

mean

Post-test

sd

Post-test

t-value

p value


CBCL Syndrome Scale Scores

Withdrawn

65

10.5

63

9.4

1.427

.16

Anxious/Depressed

62

10.6

60

10.3

1.060

.30

Social Problems

64

11.1

65

11.2

-0.854

.40

Thought Problems

63

8.6

62

8.1

0.984

.33

Attention Problems

68

11.9

66

1O.8

0.927

.36

Rule-Breaking Behavior

67

7.4

66

9.6

1.869

.07

Aggressive Behavior

70

10.2

68

9.4

0.919

.37

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is effective because of its reliance on and development of affective attunement between therapist and child, caregiver and child, and therapist and caregiver. The process of maintaining affective attunement allows for dyadic regulation of affect between child and therapist so that the child feels a sense of safety and security and can experience the affect associated with past traumas, allowing for integration of these experiences rather than dissociation of the affect and memory. Furthermore, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy’s significant involvement of caregivers in treatment facilitates the development of an affectively attuned relationship between the child and caregiver. An affectively attuned relationship may be described as a relationship in which the two persons are experiencing the same affect and that their affect co-varies. Within the safety of the attuned relationship the shame of past trauma and current misbehaviors are explored, experienced, and integrated. The caregiver-child interactions build on a dyadic affect regulation process that normally occurs during infancy and the toddler years. The child’s past traumatic history of abuse and neglect strongly suggests that such interaction, which facilitates a health attachment and a trusting and safe relationship, did not occur or occurred in an inadequate manner. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy facilitates the development of a healthy attachment between child and caregiver, enables the child to affectively trust the caregiver, and allows the child to secure comfort and safety from the caregiver.

This study examined the effects of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy on children with trauma-attachment disorders who meet the DSM IV criteria for Reactive Attachment Disorder, all of whom were either adopted or in foster care. A treatment group composed of thirty-four subjects and a usual care group composed of thirty subjects was compared. All children were between the ages of five and sixteen when the study began. Seven hypotheses were explored. It was hypothesized that Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy would reduce the symptoms of attachment disorder, aggressive and delinquent behaviors, social problems and withdrawal, anxiety and depressive problems, thought problems, and attention problems among children who received Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Significant reductions were achieved in all measures studied. The results were achieved in an average of twenty-three sessions over eleven months. These findings continued for an average of 1.1 years after treatment ended for children between the ages of six and fifteen years. There were no changes in the usual care-group subjects, who were re-tested an average of 1.3 years after the evaluation was completed. The results are particularly salient since 82% of the treatment-group subjects and 83% of the usual care-group subjects had previously received treatment with an average of 3.2 prior treatment episodes. This past history of unsuccessful treatment further underscores the importance of these results in demonstrating the effectiveness and efficacy of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy as a treatment for children with trauma-attachment problems. In addition, 53% of the usual care-group subjects received “usual care” but without any measurable change in the outcome variables measured. Children with trauma-attachment problems are at significant risk of developing severe disorders in adulthood such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and other personality disorders.

This study supports several of O’Connor & Zeanah’s[14] conclusions and recommendations concerning treatment. They state (p. 241), “treatments for children with attachment disorders should be promoted only when they are evidence-based.” The results of this study are a beginning toward that end. While there are a number of limitations to this study, given the severity of the disorders in question, the paucity of effective treatments, and the desperation of caregivers seeking help, it is a step in the right direction. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is not a coercive therapy, which can be dangerous. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy provides caregiver support as an integral part of its treatment methodologies. Finally, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy uses a multimodal approach built around affect attunement.

Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D.

Director

Center For Family Development

5820 Main Street, suite 406

Williamsville, NY 14221

[1] Lyons-Ruth, K., & Jacobvitz, D., Attachment disorganization: unresolved loss, relational violence and lapses in behavioral and attentional strategies. In Cassidy, J. & Shaver, P., (Eds.) Handbook of Attachment. pp 520-554, NY: Guilford Press, 1999.

Solomon, J. & George, C. (Eds.). Attachment Disorganization. NY: Guilford Press, 1999.

Main, M. & Hesse, E. Parents’ Unresolved Traumatic Experiences are related to infant disorganized attachment status. In Greenberg, M.T., Ciccehetti, D., & Cummings, E.M. (Eds.) Attachment in the Preschool Years: Theory, Research, and Intervention, pp.161-182, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990.

Carlson, E.A. (1988). A prospective longitudinal study of disorganized/disoriented attachment. Child Development 69, 1107-1128.

[2] Carlson, V., Cicchetti, D., Barnett, D., & Braunwald, K. (1995). Finding order in disorganization: Lessons from research on maltreated infants’ attachments to their caregivers. In D. Cicchetti & V. Carlson (Eds), Child Maltreatment: Theory and research on the causes and consequences of child abuse and neglect (pp. 135-157). NY: Cambridge University Press.

Cicchetti, D., Cummings, E.M., Greenberg, M.T., & Marvin, R.S. (1990). An organizational perspective on attachment beyond infancy. In M. Greenberg, D. Cicchetti, & M. Cummings (Eds), Attachment in the Preschool Years (pp. 3-50). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

[3] Robins, L.N. (1978) Longitudinal studies: Sturdy childhood predictors of adult antisocial behavior. Psychological Medicine,. 8, 611-622.

[4] Prino, C.T. & Peyrot, M. (1994) The effect of child physical abuse and neglect on aggressive withdrawn, and prosocial behavior. Child Abuse and Neglect, 18, 871-884.

[5] Schreiber, R. & Lyddon, W. J. (1998) Parental bonding and Current Psychological Functioning Among Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45, 358-362.

[6] Finzi, R., Cohen, O., Sapir, Y., & Weizman, A. (2000). Attachment Styles in Maltreated Children: A Comparative Study. Child Development and Human Development, 31, 113-128.

[7] Dozier, M., Stovall, K.C., & Albus, K. (1999) Attachment and Psychopathology in Adulthood. In J. Cassidy & P. Shaver (Eds.). Handbook of Attachment (pp. 497-519). NY: Guilford Press.

[8] Finzi, R., Cohen, O., Sapir, Y., & Weizman, A. (2000). Attachment Styles in Maltreated Children: A Comparative Study. Child Development and Human Development, 31, 113-128.

[9] Allan, J. (2001). Traumatic Relationships and Serious Mental Disorders. NY: John Wiley.

Andrews, B., Varewin, C.R., Rose, S., & Kirk (2000). Predicting PTSD symptoms in Victims of Violent Crime. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109, 69-73.

[10] MacMillian, H.L. (2001). Childhood Abuse and Lifetime Psychopathology in a Community Sample. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, 1878-1883.

[11] Allan, J. Traumatic Relationships and Serious Mental Disorders, NY: Wiley, 2001.

Andrews, B., Varewin, C.R., Rose, S. & Kirk. Predicting PTSD symptoms in Victims of Violent Crime. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, vol. 109, 69-73, 2000.

[12] Becker-Weidman, A., & Shell, D., (Eds.) (2005) Creating Capacity for Attachment: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Trauma-Attachment Disorders. OK: Woods N Barnes publishing.

[13] Becker-Weidman, A., (2005) Treatment for Children with Trauma-Attachment Disorders: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. Vol. 12 #6, December.

[14] O’Connor, T., & Zeanah, C., (2003) Attachment Disorders: Assessment strategies and treatment approaches. Attachment & Human Development, 5, 223-245.

Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D.
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/effective-treatment-for-complex-trauma-and-disorders-of-attachment-749999.html

Reactive Attachment Disorder is a severe developmental disorder caused by a chronic history of maltreatment during the first couple of years of life. Reactive Attachment Disorder is frequently misdiagnosed by mental health professionals who do not have the appropriate training and experience evaluating and treating such children and adults. Often, children in the child welfare system have a variety of previous diagnoses. The behaviors and symptoms that are the basis for these previous diagnoses are better conceptualized as resulting from disordered attachment. Oppositional Defiant Disorder behaviors are subsumed under Reactive Attachment Disorder. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms are the result of a significant history of abuse and neglect and are another dimension of attachment disorder. Attention problems, and even Psychotic Disorder symptoms are often seen in children with disorganized attachment 1.

Approximately 2% of the population is adopted, and between 50% and 80% of such children have attachment disorder symptoms[2]. Many of these children are violent[3] and aggressive[4] and as adults are at risk of developing a variety of psychological problems[5] and personality disorders, including antisocial personality disorder[6], narcissistic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and psychopathic personality disorder[7]. Neglected children are at risk of social withdrawal, social rejection, and pervasive feelings of incompetence[8]. Children who have histories of abuse and neglect are at significant risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as adults[9]. Children who have been sexually abused are at significant risk of developing anxiety disorders (2.0 times the average), major depressive disorders (3.4 times average), alcohol abuse (2.5 times average), drug abuse (3.8 times average), and antisocial behavior (4.3 times average)[10] (MacMillian, 2001). The effective treatment of such children is a public health concern (Walker, Goodwin, & Warren, 1992).

Left untreated, children who have been abused and neglected and who have an attachment disorder become adults whose ability to develop and maintain healthy relationships is deeply damaged. Without placement in an appropriate permanent home and effective treatment, the condition will worsen. Many children with attachment disorders develop borderline personality disorder or anti-social personality disorder as adults[11].

So, what is a person to do? Is there effective treatment for disorders of attachment? The answer is yes; there is an effective treatment for disorders of attachment. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy[12] is an evidence-based treatment that has proven success treating attachment disorders[13]. Family therapy, individual therapy, play therapy, residential placements, and intensive outpatient treatment, among other treatments, are often used to treat attachment disorders. However, when compared with Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, these treatments proved to be ineffective. A follow-up study compared the effectiveness of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and “usual care,” and found that Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy produced clinically and statistically significant improvements one year after treatment ended. The study was composed of 34 families receiving Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and 30 families receiving “usual care.”

Before treatment/evaluation in both the treatment and control groups, Randolph Attachment Disorder Questionnaire scores and Child Behavior Checklist scale scores were elevated and in clinically significant ranges (more than two standard deviations above the mean for the CBCL). The extent and severity of these children’s disorder is underscored by the fact that 82% of the treatment group and 83% of the control-group subjects had received prior treatment using other methods. The average number of previous treatment episodes was 3.2 for the treatment group and 2.7 for the control group.

The results for the treatment-group were achieved among children aged six to fifteen years, averaging 9.4 years, who received an average of twenty-three sessions over eleven months. Results presented in Table 1 show clinically and statistically significant reductions in scores for the treatment group and Table 2 shows no change for the control group.

TABLE 1

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy

N=34, df=33

measure

mean

Pre-test


SD

Pre-test

mean

Post-test

sd

Post-test

t-value

p value

CBCL Syndrome Scale Scores

Withdrawn

65

11.8

54

6.0

4.897

<.0001

Anxious/Depressed

62

10.5

58

8.1

2.665

.006

Social Problems

67

9.7

59

5.5

4.376

<.0001

Thought Problems

68

9.5

56

3.9

6.133

<.0001

Attention Problems

72

12.5

57

6.1

5.836

<.0001

Rule-Breaking Behavior

69

6.9

53

3.8

12.181

<.0001

Aggressive Behavior

71

9.1

55

4.5

10.576

<.0001

TABLE 2

“USUAL CARE” GROUP

N=30, df=29

measure

mean

Pre-test


SD

Pre-test

mean

Post-test

sd

Post-test

t-value

p value


CBCL Syndrome Scale Scores

Withdrawn

65

10.5

63

9.4

1.427

.16

Anxious/Depressed

62

10.6

60

10.3

1.060

.30

Social Problems

64

11.1

65

11.2

-0.854

.40

Thought Problems

63

8.6

62

8.1

0.984

.33

Attention Problems

68

11.9

66

1O.8

0.927

.36

Rule-Breaking Behavior

67

7.4

66

9.6

1.869

.07

Aggressive Behavior

70

10.2

68

9.4

0.919

.37

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is effective because of its reliance on and development of affective attunement between therapist and child, caregiver and child, and therapist and caregiver. The process of maintaining affective attunement allows for dyadic regulation of affect between child and therapist so that the child feels a sense of safety and security and can experience the affect associated with past traumas, allowing for integration of these experiences rather than dissociation of the affect and memory. Furthermore, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy’s significant involvement of caregivers in treatment facilitates the development of an affectively attuned relationship between the child and caregiver. An affectively attuned relationship may be described as a relationship in which the two persons are experiencing the same affect and that their affect co-varies. Within the safety of the attuned relationship the shame of past trauma and current misbehaviors are explored, experienced, and integrated. The caregiver-child interactions build on a dyadic affect regulation process that normally occurs during infancy and the toddler years. The child’s past traumatic history of abuse and neglect strongly suggests that such interaction, which facilitates a health attachment and a trusting and safe relationship, did not occur or occurred in an inadequate manner. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy facilitates the development of a healthy attachment between child and caregiver, enables the child to affectively trust the caregiver, and allows the child to secure comfort and safety from the caregiver.

This study examined the effects of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy on children with trauma-attachment disorders who meet the DSM IV criteria for Reactive Attachment Disorder, all of whom were either adopted or in foster care. A treatment group composed of thirty-four subjects and a usual care group composed of thirty subjects was compared. All children were between the ages of five and sixteen when the study began. Seven hypotheses were explored. It was hypothesized that Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy would reduce the symptoms of attachment disorder, aggressive and delinquent behaviors, social problems and withdrawal, anxiety and depressive problems, thought problems, and attention problems among children who received Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Significant reductions were achieved in all measures studied. The results were achieved in an average of twenty-three sessions over eleven months. These findings continued for an average of 1.1 years after treatment ended for children between the ages of six and fifteen years. There were no changes in the usual care-group subjects, who were re-tested an average of 1.3 years after the evaluation was completed. The results are particularly salient since 82% of the treatment-group subjects and 83% of the usual care-group subjects had previously received treatment with an average of 3.2 prior treatment episodes. This past history of unsuccessful treatment further underscores the importance of these results in demonstrating the effectiveness and efficacy of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy as a treatment for children with trauma-attachment problems. In addition, 53% of the usual care-group subjects received “usual care” but without any measurable change in the outcome variables measured. Children with trauma-attachment problems are at significant risk of developing severe disorders in adulthood such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and other personality disorders.

This study supports several of O’Connor & Zeanah’s[14] conclusions and recommendations concerning treatment. They state (p. 241), “treatments for children with attachment disorders should be promoted only when they are evidence-based.” The results of this study are a beginning toward that end. While there are a number of limitations to this study, given the severity of the disorders in question, the paucity of effective treatments, and the desperation of caregivers seeking help, it is a step in the right direction. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is not a coercive therapy, which can be dangerous. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy provides caregiver support as an integral part of its treatment methodologies. Finally, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy uses a multimodal approach built around affect attunement.

Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D.

Director

Center For Family Development

5820 Main Street, suite 406

Williamsville, NY 14221

[1] Lyons-Ruth, K., & Jacobvitz, D., Attachment disorganization: unresolved loss, relational violence and lapses in behavioral and attentional strategies. In Cassidy, J. & Shaver, P., (Eds.) Handbook of Attachment. pp 520-554, NY: Guilford Press, 1999.

Solomon, J. & George, C. (Eds.). Attachment Disorganization. NY: Guilford Press, 1999.

Main, M. & Hesse, E. Parents’ Unresolved Traumatic Experiences are related to infant disorganized attachment status. In Greenberg, M.T., Ciccehetti, D., & Cummings, E.M. (Eds.) Attachment in the Preschool Years: Theory, Research, and Intervention, pp.161-182, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990.

Carlson, E.A. (1988). A prospective longitudinal study of disorganized/disoriented attachment. Child Development 69, 1107-1128.

[2] Carlson, V., Cicchetti, D., Barnett, D., & Braunwald, K. (1995). Finding order in disorganization: Lessons from research on maltreated infants’ attachments to their caregivers. In D. Cicchetti & V. Carlson (Eds), Child Maltreatment: Theory and research on the causes and consequences of child abuse and neglect (pp. 135-157). NY: Cambridge University Press.

Cicchetti, D., Cummings, E.M., Greenberg, M.T., & Marvin, R.S. (1990). An organizational perspective on attachment beyond infancy. In M. Greenberg, D. Cicchetti, & M. Cummings (Eds), Attachment in the Preschool Years (pp. 3-50). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

[3] Robins, L.N. (1978) Longitudinal studies: Sturdy childhood predictors of adult antisocial behavior. Psychological Medicine,. 8, 611-622.

[4] Prino, C.T. & Peyrot, M. (1994) The effect of child physical abuse and neglect on aggressive withdrawn, and prosocial behavior. Child Abuse and Neglect, 18, 871-884.

[5] Schreiber, R. & Lyddon, W. J. (1998) Parental bonding and Current Psychological Functioning Among Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45, 358-362.

[6] Finzi, R., Cohen, O., Sapir, Y., & Weizman, A. (2000). Attachment Styles in Maltreated Children: A Comparative Study. Child Development and Human Development, 31, 113-128.

[7] Dozier, M., Stovall, K.C., & Albus, K. (1999) Attachment and Psychopathology in Adulthood. In J. Cassidy & P. Shaver (Eds.). Handbook of Attachment (pp. 497-519). NY: Guilford Press.

[8] Finzi, R., Cohen, O., Sapir, Y., & Weizman, A. (2000). Attachment Styles in Maltreated Children: A Comparative Study. Child Development and Human Development, 31, 113-128.

[9] Allan, J. (2001). Traumatic Relationships and Serious Mental Disorders. NY: John Wiley.

Andrews, B., Varewin, C.R., Rose, S., & Kirk (2000). Predicting PTSD symptoms in Victims of Violent Crime. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109, 69-73.

[10] MacMillian, H.L. (2001). Childhood Abuse and Lifetime Psychopathology in a Community Sample. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, 1878-1883.

[11] Allan, J. Traumatic Relationships and Serious Mental Disorders, NY: Wiley, 2001.

Andrews, B., Varewin, C.R., Rose, S. & Kirk. Predicting PTSD symptoms in Victims of Violent Crime. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, vol. 109, 69-73, 2000.

[12] Becker-Weidman, A., & Shell, D., (Eds.) (2005) Creating Capacity for Attachment: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Trauma-Attachment Disorders. OK: Woods N Barnes publishing.

[13] Becker-Weidman, A., (2005) Treatment for Children with Trauma-Attachment Disorders: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. Vol. 12 #6, December.

[14] O’Connor, T., & Zeanah, C., (2003) Attachment Disorders: Assessment strategies and treatment approaches. Attachment & Human Development, 5, 223-245.

Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D.
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/effective-treatment-for-complex-trauma-and-disorders-of-attachment-749999.html

Reactive Attachment Disorder is a severe developmental disorder caused by a chronic history of maltreatment during the first couple of years of life. Reactive Attachment Disorder is frequently misdiagnosed by mental health professionals who do not have the appropriate training and experience evaluating and treating such children and adults. Often, children in the child welfare system have a variety of previous diagnoses. The behaviors and symptoms that are the basis for these previous diagnoses are better conceptualized as resulting from disordered attachment. Oppositional Defiant Disorder behaviors are subsumed under Reactive Attachment Disorder. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms are the result of a significant history of abuse and neglect and are another dimension of attachment disorder. Attention problems, and even Psychotic Disorder symptoms are often seen in children with disorganized attachment 1.

Approximately 2% of the population is adopted, and between 50% and 80% of such children have attachment disorder symptoms[2]. Many of these children are violent[3] and aggressive[4] and as adults are at risk of developing a variety of psychological problems[5] and personality disorders, including antisocial personality disorder[6], narcissistic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and psychopathic personality disorder[7]. Neglected children are at risk of social withdrawal, social rejection, and pervasive feelings of incompetence[8]. Children who have histories of abuse and neglect are at significant risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as adults[9]. Children who have been sexually abused are at significant risk of developing anxiety disorders (2.0 times the average), major depressive disorders (3.4 times average), alcohol abuse (2.5 times average), drug abuse (3.8 times average), and antisocial behavior (4.3 times average)[10] (MacMillian, 2001). The effective treatment of such children is a public health concern (Walker, Goodwin, & Warren, 1992).

Left untreated, children who have been abused and neglected and who have an attachment disorder become adults whose ability to develop and maintain healthy relationships is deeply damaged. Without placement in an appropriate permanent home and effective treatment, the condition will worsen. Many children with attachment disorders develop borderline personality disorder or anti-social personality disorder as adults[11].

So, what is a person to do? Is there effective treatment for disorders of attachment? The answer is yes; there is an effective treatment for disorders of attachment. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy[12] is an evidence-based treatment that has proven success treating attachment disorders[13]. Family therapy, individual therapy, play therapy, residential placements, and intensive outpatient treatment, among other treatments, are often used to treat attachment disorders. However, when compared with Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, these treatments proved to be ineffective. A follow-up study compared the effectiveness of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and “usual care,” and found that Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy produced clinically and statistically significant improvements one year after treatment ended. The study was composed of 34 families receiving Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and 30 families receiving “usual care.”

Before treatment/evaluation in both the treatment and control groups, Randolph Attachment Disorder Questionnaire scores and Child Behavior Checklist scale scores were elevated and in clinically significant ranges (more than two standard deviations above the mean for the CBCL). The extent and severity of these children’s disorder is underscored by the fact that 82% of the treatment group and 83% of the control-group subjects had received prior treatment using other methods. The average number of previous treatment episodes was 3.2 for the treatment group and 2.7 for the control group.

The results for the treatment-group were achieved among children aged six to fifteen years, averaging 9.4 years, who received an average of twenty-three sessions over eleven months. Results presented in Table 1 show clinically and statistically significant reductions in scores for the treatment group and Table 2 shows no change for the control group.

TABLE 1

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy

N=34, df=33

measure

mean

Pre-test


SD

Pre-test

mean

Post-test

sd

Post-test

t-value

p value

CBCL Syndrome Scale Scores

Withdrawn

65

11.8

54

6.0

4.897

<.0001

Anxious/Depressed

62

10.5

58

8.1

2.665

.006

Social Problems

67

9.7

59

5.5

4.376

<.0001

Thought Problems

68

9.5

56

3.9

6.133

<.0001

Attention Problems

72

12.5

57

6.1

5.836

<.0001

Rule-Breaking Behavior

69

6.9

53

3.8

12.181

<.0001

Aggressive Behavior

71

9.1

55

4.5

10.576

<.0001

TABLE 2

“USUAL CARE” GROUP

N=30, df=29

measure

mean

Pre-test


SD

Pre-test

mean

Post-test

sd

Post-test

t-value

p value


CBCL Syndrome Scale Scores

Withdrawn

65

10.5

63

9.4

1.427

.16

Anxious/Depressed

62

10.6

60

10.3

1.060

.30

Social Problems

64

11.1

65

11.2

-0.854

.40

Thought Problems

63

8.6

62

8.1

0.984

.33

Attention Problems

68

11.9

66

1O.8

0.927

.36

Rule-Breaking Behavior

67

7.4

66

9.6

1.869

.07

Aggressive Behavior

70

10.2

68

9.4

0.919

.37

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is effective because of its reliance on and development of affective attunement between therapist and child, caregiver and child, and therapist and caregiver. The process of maintaining affective attunement allows for dyadic regulation of affect between child and therapist so that the child feels a sense of safety and security and can experience the affect associated with past traumas, allowing for integration of these experiences rather than dissociation of the affect and memory. Furthermore, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy’s significant involvement of caregivers in treatment facilitates the development of an affectively attuned relationship between the child and caregiver. An affectively attuned relationship may be described as a relationship in which the two persons are experiencing the same affect and that their affect co-varies. Within the safety of the attuned relationship the shame of past trauma and current misbehaviors are explored, experienced, and integrated. The caregiver-child interactions build on a dyadic affect regulation process that normally occurs during infancy and the toddler years. The child’s past traumatic history of abuse and neglect strongly suggests that such interaction, which facilitates a health attachment and a trusting and safe relationship, did not occur or occurred in an inadequate manner. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy facilitates the development of a healthy attachment between child and caregiver, enables the child to affectively trust the caregiver, and allows the child to secure comfort and safety from the caregiver.

This study examined the effects of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy on children with trauma-attachment disorders who meet the DSM IV criteria for Reactive Attachment Disorder, all of whom were either adopted or in foster care. A treatment group composed of thirty-four subjects and a usual care group composed of thirty subjects was compared. All children were between the ages of five and sixteen when the study began. Seven hypotheses were explored. It was hypothesized that Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy would reduce the symptoms of attachment disorder, aggressive and delinquent behaviors, social problems and withdrawal, anxiety and depressive problems, thought problems, and attention problems among children who received Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Significant reductions were achieved in all measures studied. The results were achieved in an average of twenty-three sessions over eleven months. These findings continued for an average of 1.1 years after treatment ended for children between the ages of six and fifteen years. There were no changes in the usual care-group subjects, who were re-tested an average of 1.3 years after the evaluation was completed. The results are particularly salient since 82% of the treatment-group subjects and 83% of the usual care-group subjects had previously received treatment with an average of 3.2 prior treatment episodes. This past history of unsuccessful treatment further underscores the importance of these results in demonstrating the effectiveness and efficacy of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy as a treatment for children with trauma-attachment problems. In addition, 53% of the usual care-group subjects received “usual care” but without any measurable change in the outcome variables measured. Children with trauma-attachment problems are at significant risk of developing severe disorders in adulthood such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and other personality disorders.

This study supports several of O’Connor & Zeanah’s[14] conclusions and recommendations concerning treatment. They state (p. 241), “treatments for children with attachment disorders should be promoted only when they are evidence-based.” The results of this study are a beginning toward that end. While there are a number of limitations to this study, given the severity of the disorders in question, the paucity of effective treatments, and the desperation of caregivers seeking help, it is a step in the right direction. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is not a coercive therapy, which can be dangerous. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy provides caregiver support as an integral part of its treatment methodologies. Finally, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy uses a multimodal approach built around affect attunement.

Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D.

Director

Center For Family Development

5820 Main Street, suite 406

Williamsville, NY 14221

[1] Lyons-Ruth, K., & Jacobvitz, D., Attachment disorganization: unresolved loss, relational violence and lapses in behavioral and attentional strategies. In Cassidy, J. & Shaver, P., (Eds.) Handbook of Attachment. pp 520-554, NY: Guilford Press, 1999.

Solomon, J. & George, C. (Eds.). Attachment Disorganization. NY: Guilford Press, 1999.

Main, M. & Hesse, E. Parents’ Unresolved Traumatic Experiences are related to infant disorganized attachment status. In Greenberg, M.T., Ciccehetti, D., & Cummings, E.M. (Eds.) Attachment in the Preschool Years: Theory, Research, and Intervention, pp.161-182, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990.

Carlson, E.A. (1988). A prospective longitudinal study of disorganized/disoriented attachment. Child Development 69, 1107-1128.

[2] Carlson, V., Cicchetti, D., Barnett, D., & Braunwald, K. (1995). Finding order in disorganization: Lessons from research on maltreated infants’ attachments to their caregivers. In D. Cicchetti & V. Carlson (Eds), Child Maltreatment: Theory and research on the causes and consequences of child abuse and neglect (pp. 135-157). NY: Cambridge University Press.

Cicchetti, D., Cummings, E.M., Greenberg, M.T., & Marvin, R.S. (1990). An organizational perspective on attachment beyond infancy. In M. Greenberg, D. Cicchetti, & M. Cummings (Eds), Attachment in the Preschool Years (pp. 3-50). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

[3] Robins, L.N. (1978) Longitudinal studies: Sturdy childhood predictors of adult antisocial behavior. Psychological Medicine,. 8, 611-622.

[4] Prino, C.T. & Peyrot, M. (1994) The effect of child physical abuse and neglect on aggressive withdrawn, and prosocial behavior. Child Abuse and Neglect, 18, 871-884.

[5] Schreiber, R. & Lyddon, W. J. (1998) Parental bonding and Current Psychological Functioning Among Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45, 358-362.

[6] Finzi, R., Cohen, O., Sapir, Y., & Weizman, A. (2000). Attachment Styles in Maltreated Children: A Comparative Study. Child Development and Human Development, 31, 113-128.

[7] Dozier, M., Stovall, K.C., & Albus, K. (1999) Attachment and Psychopathology in Adulthood. In J. Cassidy & P. Shaver (Eds.). Handbook of Attachment (pp. 497-519). NY: Guilford Press.

[8] Finzi, R., Cohen, O., Sapir, Y., & Weizman, A. (2000). Attachment Styles in Maltreated Children: A Comparative Study. Child Development and Human Development, 31, 113-128.

[9] Allan, J. (2001). Traumatic Relationships and Serious Mental Disorders. NY: John Wiley.

Andrews, B., Varewin, C.R., Rose, S., & Kirk (2000). Predicting PTSD symptoms in Victims of Violent Crime. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109, 69-73.

[10] MacMillian, H.L. (2001). Childhood Abuse and Lifetime Psychopathology in a Community Sample. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, 1878-1883.

[11] Allan, J. Traumatic Relationships and Serious Mental Disorders, NY: Wiley, 2001.

Andrews, B., Varewin, C.R., Rose, S. & Kirk. Predicting PTSD symptoms in Victims of Violent Crime. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, vol. 109, 69-73, 2000.

[12] Becker-Weidman, A., & Shell, D., (Eds.) (2005) Creating Capacity for Attachment: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Trauma-Attachment Disorders. OK: Woods N Barnes publishing.

[13] Becker-Weidman, A., (2005) Treatment for Children with Trauma-Attachment Disorders: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. Vol. 12 #6, December.

[14] O’Connor, T., & Zeanah, C., (2003) Attachment Disorders: Assessment strategies and treatment approaches. Attachment & Human Development, 5, 223-245.

Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D.
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/effective-treatment-for-complex-trauma-and-disorders-of-attachment-749999.html

Reactive Attachment Disorder is a severe developmental disorder caused by a chronic history of maltreatment during the first couple of years of life. Reactive Attachment Disorder is frequently misdiagnosed by mental health professionals who do not have the appropriate training and experience evaluating and treating such children and adults. Often, children in the child welfare system have a variety of previous diagnoses. The behaviors and symptoms that are the basis for these previous diagnoses are better conceptualized as resulting from disordered attachment. Oppositional Defiant Disorder behaviors are subsumed under Reactive Attachment Disorder. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms are the result of a significant history of abuse and neglect and are another dimension of attachment disorder. Attention problems, and even Psychotic Disorder symptoms are often seen in children with disorganized attachment 1.

Approximately 2% of the population is adopted, and between 50% and 80% of such children have attachment disorder symptoms[2]. Many of these children are violent[3] and aggressive[4] and as adults are at risk of developing a variety of psychological problems[5] and personality disorders, including antisocial personality disorder[6], narcissistic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and psychopathic personality disorder[7]. Neglected children are at risk of social withdrawal, social rejection, and pervasive feelings of incompetence[8]. Children who have histories of abuse and neglect are at significant risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as adults[9]. Children who have been sexually abused are at significant risk of developing anxiety disorders (2.0 times the average), major depressive disorders (3.4 times average), alcohol abuse (2.5 times average), drug abuse (3.8 times average), and antisocial behavior (4.3 times average)[10] (MacMillian, 2001). The effective treatment of such children is a public health concern (Walker, Goodwin, & Warren, 1992).

Left untreated, children who have been abused and neglected and who have an attachment disorder become adults whose ability to develop and maintain healthy relationships is deeply damaged. Without placement in an appropriate permanent home and effective treatment, the condition will worsen. Many children with attachment disorders develop borderline personality disorder or anti-social personality disorder as adults[11].

So, what is a person to do? Is there effective treatment for disorders of attachment? The answer is yes; there is an effective treatment for disorders of attachment. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy[12] is an evidence-based treatment that has proven success treating attachment disorders[13]. Family therapy, individual therapy, play therapy, residential placements, and intensive outpatient treatment, among other treatments, are often used to treat attachment disorders. However, when compared with Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, these treatments proved to be ineffective. A follow-up study compared the effectiveness of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and “usual care,” and found that Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy produced clinically and statistically significant improvements one year after treatment ended. The study was composed of 34 families receiving Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and 30 families receiving “usual care.”

Before treatment/evaluation in both the treatment and control groups, Randolph Attachment Disorder Questionnaire scores and Child Behavior Checklist scale scores were elevated and in clinically significant ranges (more than two standard deviations above the mean for the CBCL). The extent and severity of these children’s disorder is underscored by the fact that 82% of the treatment group and 83% of the control-group subjects had received prior treatment using other methods. The average number of previous treatment episodes was 3.2 for the treatment group and 2.7 for the control group.

The results for the treatment-group were achieved among children aged six to fifteen years, averaging 9.4 years, who received an average of twenty-three sessions over eleven months. Results presented in Table 1 show clinically and statistically significant reductions in scores for the treatment group and Table 2 shows no change for the control group.

TABLE 1

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy

N=34, df=33

measure

mean

Pre-test


SD

Pre-test

mean

Post-test

sd

Post-test

t-value

p value

CBCL Syndrome Scale Scores

Withdrawn

65

11.8

54

6.0

4.897

<.0001

Anxious/Depressed

62

10.5

58

8.1

2.665

.006

Social Problems

67

9.7

59

5.5

4.376

<.0001

Thought Problems

68

9.5

56

3.9

6.133

<.0001

Attention Problems

72

12.5

57

6.1

5.836

<.0001

Rule-Breaking Behavior

69

6.9

53

3.8

12.181

<.0001

Aggressive Behavior

71

9.1

55

4.5

10.576

<.0001

TABLE 2

“USUAL CARE” GROUP

N=30, df=29

measure

mean

Pre-test


SD

Pre-test

mean

Post-test

sd

Post-test

t-value

p value


CBCL Syndrome Scale Scores

Withdrawn

65

10.5

63

9.4

1.427

.16

Anxious/Depressed

62

10.6

60

10.3

1.060

.30

Social Problems

64

11.1

65

11.2

-0.854

.40

Thought Problems

63

8.6

62

8.1

0.984

.33

Attention Problems

68

11.9

66

1O.8

0.927

.36

Rule-Breaking Behavior

67

7.4

66

9.6

1.869

.07

Aggressive Behavior

70

10.2

68

9.4

0.919

.37

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is effective because of its reliance on and development of affective attunement between therapist and child, caregiver and child, and therapist and caregiver. The process of maintaining affective attunement allows for dyadic regulation of affect between child and therapist so that the child feels a sense of safety and security and can experience the affect associated with past traumas, allowing for integration of these experiences rather than dissociation of the affect and memory. Furthermore, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy’s significant involvement of caregivers in treatment facilitates the development of an affectively attuned relationship between the child and caregiver. An affectively attuned relationship may be described as a relationship in which the two persons are experiencing the same affect and that their affect co-varies. Within the safety of the attuned relationship the shame of past trauma and current misbehaviors are explored, experienced, and integrated. The caregiver-child interactions build on a dyadic affect regulation process that normally occurs during infancy and the toddler years. The child’s past traumatic history of abuse and neglect strongly suggests that such interaction, which facilitates a health attachment and a trusting and safe relationship, did not occur or occurred in an inadequate manner. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy facilitates the development of a healthy attachment between child and caregiver, enables the child to affectively trust the caregiver, and allows the child to secure comfort and safety from the caregiver.

This study examined the effects of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy on children with trauma-attachment disorders who meet the DSM IV criteria for Reactive Attachment Disorder, all of whom were either adopted or in foster care. A treatment group composed of thirty-four subjects and a usual care group composed of thirty subjects was compared. All children were between the ages of five and sixteen when the study began. Seven hypotheses were explored. It was hypothesized that Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy would reduce the symptoms of attachment disorder, aggressive and delinquent behaviors, social problems and withdrawal, anxiety and depressive problems, thought problems, and attention problems among children who received Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Significant reductions were achieved in all measures studied. The results were achieved in an average of twenty-three sessions over eleven months. These findings continued for an average of 1.1 years after treatment ended for children between the ages of six and fifteen years. There were no changes in the usual care-group subjects, who were re-tested an average of 1.3 years after the evaluation was completed. The results are particularly salient since 82% of the treatment-group subjects and 83% of the usual care-group subjects had previously received treatment with an average of 3.2 prior treatment episodes. This past history of unsuccessful treatment further underscores the importance of these results in demonstrating the effectiveness and efficacy of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy as a treatment for children with trauma-attachment problems. In addition, 53% of the usual care-group subjects received “usual care” but without any measurable change in the outcome variables measured. Children with trauma-attachment problems are at significant risk of developing severe disorders in adulthood such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and other personality disorders.

This study supports several of O’Connor & Zeanah’s[14] conclusions and recommendations concerning treatment. They state (p. 241), “treatments for children with attachment disorders should be promoted only when they are evidence-based.” The results of this study are a beginning toward that end. While there are a number of limitations to this study, given the severity of the disorders in question, the paucity of effective treatments, and the desperation of caregivers seeking help, it is a step in the right direction. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is not a coercive therapy, which can be dangerous. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy provides caregiver support as an integral part of its treatment methodologies. Finally, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy uses a multimodal approach built around affect attunement.

Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D.

Director

Center For Family Development

5820 Main Street, suite 406

Williamsville, NY 14221

[1] Lyons-Ruth, K., & Jacobvitz, D., Attachment disorganization: unresolved loss, relational violence and lapses in behavioral and attentional strategies. In Cassidy, J. & Shaver, P., (Eds.) Handbook of Attachment. pp 520-554, NY: Guilford Press, 1999.

Solomon, J. & George, C. (Eds.). Attachment Disorganization. NY: Guilford Press, 1999.

Main, M. & Hesse, E. Parents’ Unresolved Traumatic Experiences are related to infant disorganized attachment status. In Greenberg, M.T., Ciccehetti, D., & Cummings, E.M. (Eds.) Attachment in the Preschool Years: Theory, Research, and Intervention, pp.161-182, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990.

Carlson, E.A. (1988). A prospective longitudinal study of disorganized/disoriented attachment. Child Development 69, 1107-1128.

[2] Carlson, V., Cicchetti, D., Barnett, D., & Braunwald, K. (1995). Finding order in disorganization: Lessons from research on maltreated infants’ attachments to their caregivers. In D. Cicchetti & V. Carlson (Eds), Child Maltreatment: Theory and research on the causes and consequences of child abuse and neglect (pp. 135-157). NY: Cambridge University Press.

Cicchetti, D., Cummings, E.M., Greenberg, M.T., & Marvin, R.S. (1990). An organizational perspective on attachment beyond infancy. In M. Greenberg, D. Cicchetti, & M. Cummings (Eds), Attachment in the Preschool Years (pp. 3-50). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

[3] Robins, L.N. (1978) Longitudinal studies: Sturdy childhood predictors of adult antisocial behavior. Psychological Medicine,. 8, 611-622.

[4] Prino, C.T. & Peyrot, M. (1994) The effect of child physical abuse and neglect on aggressive withdrawn, and prosocial behavior. Child Abuse and Neglect, 18, 871-884.

[5] Schreiber, R. & Lyddon, W. J. (1998) Parental bonding and Current Psychological Functioning Among Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45, 358-362.

[6] Finzi, R., Cohen, O., Sapir, Y., & Weizman, A. (2000). Attachment Styles in Maltreated Children: A Comparative Study. Child Development and Human Development, 31, 113-128.

[7] Dozier, M., Stovall, K.C., & Albus, K. (1999) Attachment and Psychopathology in Adulthood. In J. Cassidy & P. Shaver (Eds.). Handbook of Attachment (pp. 497-519). NY: Guilford Press.

[8] Finzi, R., Cohen, O., Sapir, Y., & Weizman, A. (2000). Attachment Styles in Maltreated Children: A Comparative Study. Child Development and Human Development, 31, 113-128.

[9] Allan, J. (2001). Traumatic Relationships and Serious Mental Disorders. NY: John Wiley.

Andrews, B., Varewin, C.R., Rose, S., & Kirk (2000). Predicting PTSD symptoms in Victims of Violent Crime. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109, 69-73.

[10] MacMillian, H.L. (2001). Childhood Abuse and Lifetime Psychopathology in a Community Sample. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, 1878-1883.

[11] Allan, J. Traumatic Relationships and Serious Mental Disorders, NY: Wiley, 2001.

Andrews, B., Varewin, C.R., Rose, S. & Kirk. Predicting PTSD symptoms in Victims of Violent Crime. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, vol. 109, 69-73, 2000.

[12] Becker-Weidman, A., & Shell, D., (Eds.) (2005) Creating Capacity for Attachment: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Trauma-Attachment Disorders. OK: Woods N Barnes publishing.

[13] Becker-Weidman, A., (2005) Treatment for Children with Trauma-Attachment Disorders: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. Vol. 12 #6, December.

[14] O’Connor, T., & Zeanah, C., (2003) Attachment Disorders: Assessment strategies and treatment approaches. Attachment & Human Development, 5, 223-245.

Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D.
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/effective-treatment-for-complex-trauma-and-disorders-of-attachment-749999.html

The tenth amendment to the constitution confers police powers on the states. There are more than 18,000 police agencies in America today. Police departments at the state level may consist of the State police and the Highway patrol. At the municipal/metropolitan level there may be the housing, school and special port police departments among others.

There are about 15,000 municipal police departments in the U.S., but the NYPD enjoys a special status among them. It boasts of over 40,000 regular officers in addition to around 13,000 special purpose officers in different police departments such as animal cruelty, beach, harbor, hospital, housing, port, railroad, sanitation, school, and transit and transportation departments. There may then be specialized units under specific departments’ e.g. airborne, bomb, forensic, narcotic and sex crime units. There are numerous career opportunities in the police department with a number of vacancies being advertised regularly.

Criteria For Selection

The NYPD conducts a written examination for recruitment for which the candidate needs to be at least 17 ½ years of age at the minimum and 35 years at the maximum in order to appear for the exam. The hiring criteria is that the applicant should be at least 21 years on the date of hiring and should have successfully completed 60 college credits from an accredited college with a GPA of 2.0 or 2 years of full time military service in the United States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge and have a high school diploma or equivalent. The applicant has to be a US citizen on or before the date of hiring and must be residing within one of the five boroughs of the New York City or any of the surrounding counties on the day of hiring. He must have a driver’s license and pass a drug /alcohol screening test.

Compensation

Full pay and benefits are payable from the first day of training and today stand at around $25000 per annum. After completion of six months of Police Academy training this would increase to around $32000 and continue to increase with yearly rests. This is the base salary. After 5 ½ years the base salary goes up to approximately $60,000 per year. In addition to the base salary there are also various other allowances such as overtime earning, holiday pay, night differential and uniform allowance.

For career advancement, every two to three years there are promotional examinations conducted by the NYPD for police officers. On successfully qualifying in these exams, one can go up to the rank of Lieutenant. The average earnings of a Lieutenant today are above $100000 per annum.

Retirement Benefits

Retirement benefits after 20 years of service to an officer of the NYPD consists of an annual pension amounting to approximately $46,000, in addition to full medical benefits, an annuity fund and deferred compensation plan. If the retiree is of a rank higher than a police officer, the pension is proportionately higher.
In the Chicago police department, the norms of recruitment are more or less similar with some difference in the pay packet and other benefits. They offer a starting salary of over $42,000 per year to their officers, which are increased to over $54,000 per year after a year of service, and to over $57,000 per year after 18 months.

A career in the police force offers good compensation and benefits. It is a job that commands respect from the society at large. It raises the self-esteem of the individual and helps to develop a sense of responsibility in the community. Before making a concrete decision to join any one of them, it would be advisable to gather information with respect to the eligibility criteria as well as the salary and other benefits including prospects of internal promotions within the police department.

Tony Jacowski
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/police-force-careers-71202.html

Manifesto Destiny: The Gentleman’s Club

This Decade so far has been a compendium of bad things: Horrible Natural and Terrorist disasters, astronomical oil prices (which I have made Money from because I know how to trade commodities), a war in the Middle East with the wrong Arabs, the male race turning into whining/ complainers, people not respecting their elders, people believing that White Trash is “cool”, messy hair being fashionable, Hip Hop culture morphing into materialistic crap for suburban white kids, the corporatization of what was once hip, people protesting restaurants serving foie gras, the persecution of smoking indoors, Reality TV.

The one thing that has stayed relatively unchanged thru the decade is the value of Gentleman’s Clubs. Although they have been cracked down on a little, they are still as relevant as ever. Today’s Manifesto Tip, is Beginner Concepts to making these joints pay for themselves. And pay attention, because if you have ever been in a Gentleman’s Club and seen the most beautiful girl you have ever seen, and said to yourself: “I wonder what kind of guy that girl goes home with after she gets off work?” The answer is: I am that Guy…………………………

1. Attire. We have already covered how you want to dress in other manifesto tips. Basically the only question you should be asking yourself is: “Should I wear a tie or not?” If you roll to the Gentleman’s Club with another guy a good move is: one with tie, one without. This way you have all your bases covered. While we are on the subject, rolling solo is a good move in these places. Going with someone else should only be done if the other person has plenty of game and is an advocate of “The Life”…….Look at the flip side: Stepping into the joint with 4 buddies with Sigma PI Alumni T-Shirts on is going to get you absolutely no where. At best you will end up looking like the other 5 Jerkoffs who are already in the Club with the Beta Nu shirts on….and trust me ….they aren’t getting anywhere either……….

2. Entrance. So roll in solo or with one other person who knows what time it is. Have a good positive vibe going. No need to yell and “whoop it up”…….keep it smooth….shake the bouncers hands…..These guys can potentially ruin your “close” later on in the night…so get them on your team…grease them….if you are starting to notice some common themes with prior tips, that’s good…that means your paying attention…(Also, if your in NYC at the Penthouse Executive Club, these guys will let you go in and out of the bar to smoke cigarettes with no hassle….I mean, what’s that worth? Certainly a C-Note)

3. The Bar. After you have made your entrance, head to the Bar. Don’t get a table or sit by the stage. Every girl will try to fleece you and you will appear to be a “mark”. Plus, that’s what every jackass does when they walk into a Gentleman’s Club. The whole idea is to separate yourself from the Status Quo. News just in….The Status Quo does not end up going home with Exotic Dancers……Also, no lap dances…..for the same reason. Getting the bartender on your team is also a good move…if the bartender is a beautiful girl, all the better…..she can make a great ally and give you plenty on “intel” on the joint….and she may want to kick off her heels, stretch her legs and drink a glass of Vino with you at your suite as well……..

4. Vernacular. Make sure you use proper “speak” in Gentleman’s Clubs. Even if an Exotic Dancer refers to herself as a “stripper”, correct her, tell her she is an “Exotic Dancer”. If she calls it a “Titty Bar”, correct her…it’s a “Gentleman’s Club” This will transcend into your whole aura and girls will view you as a man of style and taste. This again will separate you from the sheep. Obviously, you want to be the Lone Wolf, Top Predator, with Top Pedigree in this “Ecosystem”. Growing up, Irish Mobster/ Playboy, Butch O’Farrell once told me (although I don’t approve of his choice of language), “Treat the queens like whores, and treat the whores like queens.” Obviously, this is an extreme example, but Butch makes a great point here (Butch………. rest in peace).

5. Drawing Exotic Dancers in. The $1800.00 suit you have on obviously helps. So does having plenty of smokes, a Zippo, and flashing a Big Bankroll when you buy Goose and Sodas. These girls tend to notice things like these better than “Civilian” Girls. Buy the Dancers plenty of drinks…no explanation necessary. Again, no need to yell, whistle or cat call. Seem disinterested…seem bored….like seeing naked girls is really no big deal for you…. (Which for me, isn’t a big deal, in fact a topless girl is rubbing my shoulders as I write this….) either way…at least act like this is just another night for you… (which for me, it is)…….very quickly, girls will be coming up and introducing themselves to you as if you were Sherman Billingsley at the Stork Club……

6. The Rap. The key to your rap is to get the girl to lower her guard, qualify the girl, and get her interested in what you have to offer. Keep in mind the most beautiful “Pam Anderson” type girl might not be the best move….go with the best prospect that you have the best connection with… (Plus, often times you have to compete with that Oil Sheik Money for the Pam Anderson ones). Once you have found the right girl, you need to have the right answers to topics that will always come up: Your Occupation? Now is not the time to be honest and tell her you are an Accountant……or a computer Programmer….or that you’re in town for an Insurance Salesman’s Conference. Come up with something mysterious and interesting i.e.…..”I am involved in Import/ Exports based out of Miami” or “I do Leveraged Buyouts” or “I am in the Emerald Business with offices in Switzerland and Columbia” …………when I was younger, I went with: “I am a Stuntman in Hollywood…mostly Car and Motorcycle stunts with some fight scenes…you have seen “Heat” with Pacino?…right?…” The point is come up with something vague, that implies CASH, organized crime, or something dangerous or cool……just make sure the story is air tight. For instance, if you go with the Emerald business, make sure you know that “three main Emerald mining areas in Colombia are the Muzo, Coscuez and Chivor mines” just in case the girl’s dad was an Emerald Trader. Or if your a stunt man, and you drop some movies that you were in, know the names of the real stunt men in the movies from the credits and say that was your “alias”….you get the point.

Do a lot of name dropping. Tell girls that Chris Pacello of Liquid was a good friend of yours before he got sent up the river. Or how Jean-George Vongerichten is one of your business partners…..don’t be afraid to get a little Hollywood, maybe say that Andy Garcia is one of your cousins on the Spanish side…or Mickey Rourke is your 2nd cousin on your Irish side….(News just in….Exotic Dancers actually like that Hollywood crap).

Make some subtle, big plans with the girls. For instance: “I do a lot of Banking in the Bahamas……for tax reasons…..have you ever been to The Atlantis? You haven’t? ……I have a place there….we should go next time I go down there…….its so beautiful…..”

7. The Close. The art of closing is more in what leads up to the close than the actual close itself. The clichéd move is the drugs/cocaine close….although I am not an advocate, this is known to be very effective close, but is far from artistic……Asking the girl to meet you at the lobby bar in a 5-star hotel or at a great open restaurant are also very effective closes….My favorite close I am saving for another manifesto… (Hey, I told you these were going to be beginner tips……)

These tips when used correctly, are extremely effective. The only competition you will face will be from Pro-Athletes, Musicians on MTV, and Hollywood Actors. However, I can recall an evening in Ricks Cabaret in New Orleans when there was a singer from some crappy, famous band, a Superstar from the World Champion Chicago Bulls, a well-known Actor and myself all enjoying the “subdued environment” of Ricks. Although these three guys are at the top of their “respected” fields, they were all “riding the bench” when I was in the Club with them, as I came out Tops on the night……….true story….The Rest Is Up To You…….

Michael Porfirio Mason

AKA The Peoples Champ

http://www.thegmanifesto.com/

(The G Manifesto is really starting to become critically acclaimed. A famous New York Publicist has recently called me: “The Voice of a Generation”……funny, the only thing I can remember my Voice saying consistently is “Princess, I’ll meet you at the Lobby Bar of the Ritz-Carlton in a half an hour”………go figure)

Michael Porfirio Mason
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/manifesto-destiny-the-gentlemans-club-86484.html

American Idol is an American singing competition. It is part of the Idol series, originating from the UK show Pop Idol, a singing contest to determine the best singer in the UK. In recent years it has become one of the most highly publicized music competitions in the world, reaching the status of a phenomenon.

Season 1

The first season of American Idol debuted without hype as a summer replacement show in June 2002 on the Fox Broadcasting Company after being rejected by numerous other networks. The show’s co-hosts were Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman. Through word of mouth generated by the appeal of its contestants and the presence of acid-tongued British judge Simon Cowell, the show grew into a phenomenon. An estimated fifty million people watched the Season 1 finale in September 2002. Following such a success, the second season was moved to air the upcoming January.

Season 2

In Season 2, Seacrest surfaced as the lone host. Dunkleman reportedly hated working on the show and the studio was dissatisfied with his performance. Kristin Holt was a special correspondent. This time, Ruben Studdard emerged as the winner with Clay Aiken as a very close runner-up. Out of 24 million votes recorded, Studdard finished just 130,000 votes ahead of Aiken.

Season 3

The third season of American Idol premiered on January 19, 2004. The winner of this season of American Idol was Fantasia Barrino, later known professionally as simply “Fantasia,” and the runner-up was Diana Degarmo. This was also the season that Golden Globe Award-winning and Acadamy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson was discovered.

Season 4

The fourth season of American Idol premiered on January 18, 2005. It was the first season in which the age limit was raised to 28, in order to increase variety. All Season 4 contestants had to be between the ages of 16 and 28 on August 4, 2004, born on or between August 5, 1975 and August 4, 1988. Among those who benefited from this new rule were Constantine Maroulis (born September 17, 1975) and Bo Bice (born November 1, 1975), considered to be the eldest and somewhat most experienced of the season’s Idol contestants. They were also constantly mentioned by Seacrest and in the media as “the two rockers”, since their long hair and choice of rock songs made them stand out from conventional Idol standards. The presence of more rock-oriented contestants has continued with Chris Daughtry in Season 5, who was inspired to audition for the show by Bice.

This season also implemented new rules for the final portion of the contest. Instead of competing in semi-final heats in which the top vote-getters are promoted to the final round, 24 semi-finalists were named; 12 men and 12 women, who competed separately, with 2 of each gender being voted off each week until 12 finalists were left.

Season 5

The fifth season of American Idol began on January 17, 2006; this was the first season of the series to be aired in high definition. Auditions were in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver and San Francisco, with Greensboro, North Carolina and Las Vegas, Nevada included after the cancellation of the Memphis auditions due to Hurricane Katrina. The season used the same rules as Season 4. Contestants had to be between the ages of 16 and 28 on 2005, being born on or between August 16, 1976 and 1989. Chris Daughtry was discovered during this season after being voted in one of the most surprising eliminations.

Finalist Bucky Covington also had prior troubles with the law. Coincidentally, Covington’s crimes involved himself and his twin brother, Rocky. The two had allegedly switched spots in 1998 to confuse the police. However, this prior crime had no effect on Covington’s time on American Idol, and he was voted off on April 12.

Season 6

American Idol Season 6 began on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. The premiere episode of the season drew a massive audience of 37.7 million viewers, peaking in the last half hour with more than 41 million viewers. It has been reported that the 2006 British The X Factor winner Leona Lewis is scheduled to perform on an early episode of American Idol Season 6, thanks to the connection with Simon Cowell.

Season 7

The seventh season of American Idol is expected to take place beginning in January 2008, with auditions likely to be held starting in July 2007. Few other details are known at this time.

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Subhash
http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/american-idol-116633.html