Placement Instability as a Risk Factor in Proximal Sexually Inappropriate and Aggressive Behaviors in a Child Welfare Sample

Prentky, Robert A.; Lee, Austin F.; Lamade, Raina V.; Grossi, Laura; Schuler, Ann; Dube, Gary; DeMarco, Mia; Pond, Andy

doi:10.1080/15379418.2014.987335

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…However, both of these fields involve research and literatures that consider and position the phenomena within a broader psycho‐social, economic contextual, structural and/or holistic frame of understanding (see, for example, Pearce, ; Hackett, ; Manocha and Mezey, ; Chaffin, ). Both HSB and CSE have also been linked to negative experiences of statutory care (see, for example, Prentky et al ., ; O'Neill et al ., ; Coy, ; Hallett, ). At the same time, both CSE and HSB are associated with high levels of prior trauma and abuse experiences (O'Neill, ; Hackett et al ., ; Almond et al ., ).…”

Section: Different… But the Same?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Same but Different? Exploring the Links between Gender, Trauma, Sexual Exploitation and Harmful Sexual Behaviours

2019

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This article presents data on 1550 children and young people with experiences of child sexual exploitation or who are displaying harmful sexual behaviours (HSB). Data were collected from two recently merged services operating across Wales: one working with children and young people who are at risk of, or abused through, sexual exploitation; and the other providing assessment and intervention services for children and young people displaying HSB. Importantly, the research provided an opportunity for a comparative analysis of key demographic characteristics and abuse histories of two separate cohorts of children and young people. Clear differences exist across the two cohorts in terms of gender. However, our analysis revealed similar patterns in relation to their experiences of prior abuse, and the prevalence of a family history of domestic violence is near identical. We consider how these findings speak to a need to understand the role of gender, and to recognise potential gendered understandings and gendered trajectories of harm for children. Findings also indicate the importance of directing attention to the wellbeing needs of children and young people who have experienced trauma, regardless of the presenting issues of concern. Key Practitioner Messages CSE and HSB are different welfare concerns, but the children and young people referred to services for CSE and HSB may have similarly high levels of similar past trauma. There is a need for a greater understanding of how behavioural responses to trauma can be different for boys and girls, and may lead to different risk trajectories. Practitioners should be encouraged to be reflexive about their assumptions of sexual norms and behaviours among children, particularly in relation to gender and their ideas about vulnerability and risk. Practice with children and young people would benefit from recognising and responding to trauma experiences, and also from directing attention to the specific wellbeing needs of individual children and young people, regardless of the presenting areas of concern, that is, CSE or HSB (and gender). Assessment data collected should also reflect the backgrounds, needs and strengths of these children and young people, addressing the underlying issues behind potential vulnerability and harms, and not simply the risks that children and young people may pose or in which they may engage.

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Section: Different… But the Same?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Same but Different? Exploring the Links between Gender, Trauma, Sexual Exploitation and Harmful Sexual Behaviours

2019

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“…less than 12 years old), five employed an adolescent sample (12 years and older) and four studies included both child and adolescent participants. One study included male participants only (Prentky et al, 2014 ). Ten studies reported an even gender split.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Children in care have had significant negative life experiences that often result in developmental cognitive, emotional and behavioural difficulties beyond the frequency experienced by the typically developing child population (Chambers et al, 2010 ; Havlicek et al, 2013 ). Developmental delay (Sawyer et al, 2007 ), sexually inappropriate behaviour (Prentky et al, 2014 ), substance misuse (Gabrielli et al, 2016 ), and emotional and behavioural difficulties (Tarren-Sweeney, 2008 ) have all been reported. In a recent systematic review, Oswald et al ( 2010 ) extrapolated that 36–61% of the foster care population have behavioural problems within the clinical range, with 32–44% meeting criteria for diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of the Impact of Placement Instability on Emotional and Behavioural Outcomes Among Children in Foster Care

Maguire,

May,

McCormack

et al. 2024

Journ Child Adol Trauma

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Purpose Foster care children are a highly vulnerable population and their experiences in care are considered crucial to their developmental and psychosocial wellbeing. Placement instability has been considered a possible risk factor for developmental difficulties due to its impact on the development of a reparative attachment relationship and sense of relational permanence. The current review synthesises the literature regarding the impact of placement instability on behavioural and mental health outcomes in foster care children. Three major databases and grey literature sources were searched for all relevant quantitative research published by July 2019. Titles and abstracts of 2419 articles were screened following searches, with full texts obtained for 51 studies and 14 included in the final review. All were subject to quality assessment by two independent reviewers. Results indicated that placement instability was a consistent predictor of externalising behaviour in children, although some evidence was counter-indicative in this regard. There was also evidence to suggest a relationship with internalising behaviours, and mental health difficulties, in particular PTSD symptoms. Methodological quality and design varied between studies which limited direct comparisons. Most notably, there was a lack of consensus on how to quantify and measure placement instability and many studies failed to control for potentially confounding care-related variables. The review highlights that instability seems to result in negative psychological outcomes, although the extent of this relationship remains unclear. The review’s findings are discussed with reference to research and clinical implications.

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“…This study included variables related to adverse childhood experiences, such as severity and age of onset of physical and sexual abuse and placement instability. Placement instability is vital in a classification system for youth with problematic sexual behavior, as Prentky et al (2014) reported that placement stability strongly influences problematic sexual behavior and aggressive behavior in youth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Classification System to Guide Treatment Needs for Juveniles Who Have Engaged in Abusive Sexual Behavior

Beltrani,

Kang,

Lee

et al. 2023

Criminal Justice and Behavior

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Developing an empirically derived classification system that accounts for the heterogeneity of youth could benefit the court, probation officers, and clinicians in making informed management and treatment decisions. This study used a latent class analysis to examine histories and treatment needs patterns among 561 youths who engaged in problematic sexual behavior (PSB) from five U.S. states. Three classes emerged and included: (a) low treatment need (LTN) youth without dysfunctional histories, (b) high transgressions and treatment needs (HTTN) youth with histories of conduct problems, and (c) abuse reactive (AR) youth with histories of maltreatment. Over one year, the LTN group had the lowest levels of treatment needs, the HTTN group had the highest, and the AR group had lower sexual and socioecological but higher general behavior treatment needs. Findings from this study can assist in allocating resources and help guide the individualization of interventions for youth with PSB.

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Placement Instability as a Risk Factor in Proximal Sexually Inappropriate and Aggressive Behaviors in a Child Welfare Sample

Cited by 9 publications

References 46 publications

The Same but Different? Exploring the Links between Gender, Trauma, Sexual Exploitation and Harmful Sexual Behaviours

The Same but Different? Exploring the Links between Gender, Trauma, Sexual Exploitation and Harmful Sexual Behaviours

A Systematic Review of the Impact of Placement Instability on Emotional and Behavioural Outcomes Among Children in Foster Care

A Classification System to Guide Treatment Needs for Juveniles Who Have Engaged in Abusive Sexual Behavior

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