A Behavioral Perspective of Adolescent Problem Sexual Behaviors in Residential Treatment Centers

Date of Award

Spring 6-9-2017

Document Type

Doctoral Research Paper

Degree Name

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Michael Karson

Second Advisor

Shelly Smith-Acuna

Third Advisor

Melissa Henston

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Residential treatment centers (RTCs), Sexual behaviors, Sexuality, Adolescents

Abstract

In a setting that we hope will turn children and adolescents into functional adults, it is important to understand sexual behaviors so that healthy sexuality and sexual behaviors can be developed. This paper proposes that understanding sexual behaviors through a behavioral perspective will allow for clearer treatment and healthier, generalizable development for adolescents in residential treatment centers (RTCs).

The goal of RTCs is to provide appropriate containment, support, structure, involvement, and validation for the residents, such that residents are safe and working toward stable mental health. The ultimate goal has long been to "promote and facilitate 'positive' changes in specified directions" (Gunderson, 1978, p. 332). One of the primary functions of an RTC, from conception, was to provide an environment in which children and adolescents can practice navigating social circumstances that are similar to their world outside the treatment facilities and manage their anxieties, depressions, or aggressions (Leichtman, 2006).

Copyright Date

6-21-2017

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

Rights Holder

Bethany A. Vibert

Provenance

Received from Author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

36 pgs

File Size

1.6 MB

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