NCJ Number
170122
Date Published
1997
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The use of cognitive therapy for sexually abusive adolescents is discussed.
Abstract
Cognitive therapy holds that people actively participate in perceiving and shaping their environment. Cognitive factors seems to have some part in the expression of sexually abusive behavior and may contribute to the risk of recidivism. However, it is not clear if cognitive factors are of equal significance in the behavior of all sexually abusive adolescents or how these factors interact with other factors related to abusive behavior. Nevertheless, comprehensive treatment programs often address cognitive factors. Cognitive-behavioral interventions are structured, time limited, instructional, and skills based. Adolescents receive a clear rationale for the proposed interventions, are motivated to believe that they can modify or control their behavior, and learn and practice skills to help reduce the problem. Cognitive behavioral treatment with conduct-disordered adolescents includes self-instructional training and social-cognitive skill training. Sexually abusive adolescents require intervention in some or all of the following six areas: (1) education, (2) motivation, (3) cognitive distortions, (4) knowledge, (5) attitudes, (6) thinking styles. Appended examples of statements and scripts for changing thoughts about sexual offending