Many authors have suggested adapting treatment programs to the specific needs of sexual abusers. However, little research has been conducted to understand what these patients seek in therapy or what elements play a key role in keeping them in treatment. In this pilot study, fifteen (N=15) pedophile sexual abusers from La Macaza clinic for sexual abusers were interviewed. Plan analysis was used to investigate the most prevalent components involved in staying in or leaving therapy. Results suggest that many components involved in the plans leading to doing and to avoiding treatment were similar. Differences were found in regards to the outcome of confrontations with the therapists, a tendency to isolate and overcomply, guilt related to the abuse, a need for a stable environment, and a need to be accepted. These results are discussed along with possible ways to improve the patients' involvement in treatment.

This exploratory study used qualitative methodology to examine what pedophiles think about treatment, as well as their daily experience of a treatment program. To this end, twenty-three offenders receiving treatment from the La Macaza federal penitentiary clinic were interviewed using non-directive semi-structured interviews. Comparative analysis was used to analyze the resulting material. The following themes are discussed based on the results of this analysis: (a) the participants' past experience of therapy; (b) motivations for choosing the La Macaza clinic for treatment; (c) the structure of the program; (d) the group dynamics; (e) the therapists; and (f) the hardships and difficulties of treatment. Results suggest that the therapists and the program may have a function of containment or holding. Although part of the therapeutic process involves a focus on identifying and reducing cognitive distortions, results also warn therapists against misusing this concept by applying it to legitimately different opinions. Findings are discussed in terms of possible program improvements. The authors conclude that greater attention must be given to process research.

This exploratory study aimed at better understanding why pedophile sex offenders enter and remain in treatment and how they consider it to be helpful. Comparative analysis was applied to non-directive semi-structured interviews with 24 pedophile sex offenders from La Macaza Clinic at the La Macaza federal penitentiary in Quebec. Three major themes were explored: (1) the offenders' impressions about the voluntary basis of the treatment; (2) the nature of the motivation for treatment of the participants; and (3) the different ways in which therapy was or was not helpful. The results are discussed in reference to psychodynamic literature on therapy processes and sexual deviance pathology.

Afin de mieux comprendre les enjeux et les remaniements psychiques opérant chez des enfants qui ont fait la guerre, l’auteure principale a séjourné trois mois dans un centre de réinsertion pour enfants soldats à Bukavu en République démocratique du Congo. Les analyses, issues de 78 entrevues effectuées auprès de 22 enfants et d’un processus d’observation participante, montrent les conséquences de deux crises identitaires importantes : celle de l’adhésion à l’armée faite de déni et d’identification à l’agresseur et celle de la démobilisation nécessitant le réaménagement de ces identifications. Lors de leur expérience militaire, ces enfants ont dû effectuer une coupure avec leur passé et leur propre identité en idéalisant et s’identifiant à la position de militaire. Ce processus semble avoir permis aux enfants de « s’absenter » ou de nier des vécus angoissants et ainsi d’éviter le traumatisme. Lors de la démobilisation, l’identité de soldat s’estompe au profit d’un réinvestissement massif de leur passé.

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