MEGA^♪: An Ecological Risk Assessment Tool of Risk and Protective Factors for Assessing Sexually Abusive Children and Adolescents

Advancement in Risk Assessment of Sexually Abusive Youth: Applicability of MEGA to Low Intellectual Functioning Youth

“…The findings verified distinct qualitatively different profiles for sexually abusive males and sexually abusive females (Miccio-Fonseca, 2009a, 2009b). Coefficient alphas ranged from fair to good: neuropsychological (0.681), family lovemap (0.749), antisocial (0.609), sexual incident (0.713), coercion (0.688), stratagem (0.409), and predatory elements (0.694).…”

“…On the risk scales, males were significantly higher on the risk and persistent sexual deviancy scales, while females scored slightly higher on the estrangement scale. The implications of these findings are discussed in other articles (Miccio-Fonseca, 2009a, 2009b). …”

“…Early exposure to a chaotic family environment coupled by multiple foster, residential, and institutional placements often results in developmentally delayed or low intellectual functioning youth having estranged relationships, and this in turn can contribute to risk for sexually abusive behavior or coarse sexual improprieties. The concept of MEGA 's family lovemap aggregate describes how intimacy, closeness, understanding, familiarity, and other aspects of intimacies (e.g., compassion, concern, empathy, kindness, and gentleness) are or are not expressed in a family and points to intimacy deficits that may be present in overall family histories of relationships (Miccio-Fonseca, 2006a, 2009a. Assessments need to consider those factors in the youth's family lovemap that have been empirically found to be associated with risk for sexually abusive behavior or coarse sexual improprieties (e.g., separation from parents, history of various types of abuse, family history, abuse criminal behavior, and violence; Miccio-Fonseca, 1996, 2000.…”

Trauma Outcome Process Assessment (TOPA) Model: An Ecological Paradigm for Treating Traumatized Sexually Abusive Youth

“…Depending on the age of the child and the resources available to the family and in the community, protective factors mitigating risk for maladaptive responses to trauma may include such recreational activities as team sports, dance classes, music lessons, clubs and hobbies, after school programs, etc. (Luthar, 2006;Miccio-Fonseca, 2010).…”

“…TOPA model interventions for ecological risk factors include developing supportive resources within the natural helping networks of sexually abusive youth and their families (e.g., extended family, school, neighborhood, religious or cultural centers; Gray & Pithers, 1993;Katz, 1997;Miccio-Fonseca, 2009;Miccio-Fonseca & Rasmussen, 2009b;Rasmussen, 2004Rasmussen, , 2007. The goal is to create a team of supportive individuals at home, school, and in the community that can work with the youth and help him or her engage in positive activities in the community, thus enhancing protective factors that mitigate risk and prevent reoffense (Miccio-Fonseca, 2010).…”