Psy 624 Milestone One Guidelines And Rubric Draft Of Literat
Psy 624 Milestone One Guidelines And Rubric Draft Of Literature Revie
For this initial milestone, you should focus on literature from only the last five years regarding violent offenders, non-violent offenders, and trauma victims. In your research, focus on the legal system and how it interacts with these target populations. An article that addresses all target populations would be ideal, but it may be difficult to find. Focus on the major treatment areas for the target populations and how the treatments address the needs. There is a lot to cover in these topics, so finding articles that cover one or two populations or areas will allow for a more comprehensive approach.
Make sure when you are developing your literature review that you are familiar with APA formatting. Learn How to Write a Review of Literature is a good place to begin. Prompt: Submit a draft of the literature review (Section I) for your final project, including all critical elements as listed below. In the literature review, you will summarize forensic psychological treatment literature in the last five years for each of the target populations (non-violent offenders, violent offenders, and trauma victims). Please make sure to use peer-reviewed and academic sources for the literature review.
Specifically the following critical elements must be addressed: I. Literature Review: Summarize forensic psychological treatment literature from the last five years for each of the target populations. What are the most common psychological concerns among each population? Are these concerns specific to populations within the legal system, or do they share common concerns with other populations? Which treatments have been particularly effective in meeting the needs of each of the target populations?
Are there treatments that have been effective in the general population that might benefit the target populations, but are not admissible or feasible given the constraints of the legal system? a) Non-violent offenders b) Violent offenders c) Trauma victims
Rubric Guidelines for Submission
Your literature review must be submitted as a four- to five-page Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and at least six sources cited in APA format. Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information, review these instructions.
Critical Elements
- Literature Review: Non-Violent: Accurately summarizes forensic psychological treatment literature on non-violent offenders from the last five years (30 points).
- Literature Review: Violent: Accurately summarizes forensic psychological treatment literature on violent offenders from the last five years (30 points).
- Literature Review: Victims: Accurately summarizes forensic psychological treatment literature on trauma victims from the last five years (30 points).
- Articulation of Response: Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization (10 points).
Total: 100%
Paper For Above instruction
The complexities of forensic psychological treatment among diverse offender populations and trauma victims have garnered increased scholarly attention over recent years, particularly concerning the last five years. This paper synthesizes the current literature focusing on interventions tailored for non-violent offenders, violent offenders, and trauma victims within the context of the legal system. Emphasizing recent evidence-based practices, the review evaluates psychological concerns, treatment efficacy, and the applicability of interventions across different populations, highlighting the unique challenges and potential benefits within the constraints of the legal framework.
Psychological Concerns of Non-Violent Offenders
Non-violent offenders, often engaging in behaviors such as property crimes, drug offenses, and fraud, exhibit a distinct psychological profile characterized by impulsivity, substance abuse, and antisocial tendencies (Smith et al., 2021). Recent studies reveal that mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are prevalent among this group, frequently compounded by socioeconomic factors (Johnson & Lee, 2020). These concerns are not exclusive to the legal system but share similarities with community mental health populations; however, legal system constraints often limit the scope of therapeutic interventions available.
Effective treatments identified in recent literature include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing, which aim to address maladaptive thought patterns and promote behavioral change (Garrett et al., 2022). Motivational interviewing, in particular, shows promise in reducing recidivism by fostering intrinsic motivation for change. While evidence supports these approaches outside incarceration settings, their incorporation within legal contexts faces hurdles related to resource allocation and program accessibility.
Psychological Concerns of Violent Offenders
Violent offenders, including those convicted of assault, homicide, and sexual offenses, often display impulsivity, psychopathic traits, and antisocial personality disorder (Miller & Thomas, 2023). A salient concern is the persistent risk of reoffending, which correlates with deficits in emotional regulation and empathy. Trauma histories are common, sometimes exacerbating violent tendencies (Williams et al., 2021). Similar concerns are observed in the general population but are magnified in the forensic context due to systemic factors such as mandatory treatment and security measures.
Intervention strategies with demonstrated effectiveness include anger management programs, trauma-informed care, and rehabilitation-focused cognitive-behavioral interventions. Specifically, programs targeting emotional regulation and empathy development have demonstrated reductions in violent episodes and recidivism (O'Connor & Singh, 2022). Nonetheless, legal system limitations—such as restricted treatment duration and security concerns—can hinder comprehensive implementation of these interventions.
Psychological Concerns of Trauma Victims
Trauma victims, including victims of assault, neglect, or abuse, often present with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety (Brown & Garcia, 2021). These psychological issues may be compounded when victims intersect with the criminal justice system, either as witnesses or offenders, complicating treatment needs (Kumar et al., 2022). Such concerns are shared with broader clinical populations but are often exacerbated by the legal system's emphasis on accountability over healing.
Trauma-informed approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and mindfulness-based interventions, have shown significant efficacy (Lee et al., 2020). These treatments aim to process traumatic memories and reduce symptom severity, fostering resilience and re-integration. However, their feasibility within forensic settings is challenged by resource limitations, institutional policies, and the priorities of the legal framework.
Effectiveness of Treatments and Feasibility within the Legal System
Beyond population-specific treatments, some interventions proven effective in the general population may hold potential for forensic application. For example, mindfulness-based therapies and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) have demonstrated benefits in emotional regulation and impulse control across diverse groups (Fletcher & Novak, 2019). Nevertheless, adaptations are necessary to meet legal constraints, including session duration, security protocols, and resource availability.
Research indicates that tailored cognitive-behavioral approaches, such as Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), effectively reduce recidivism among offenders and are compatible with correctional environments (Wexler et al., 2022). Conversely, treatment modalities requiring sustained engagement or extensive resources often remain impractical within secure detention settings, highlighting the need for implementing evidence-based, scalable interventions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, recent literature underscores the importance of contextually adapted psychological treatments for diverse forensic populations. While evidence supports multiple intervention strategies—ranging from CBT and anger management to trauma-focused therapies—systemic constraints within the legal system often impede their full realization. Future research should focus on developing accessible, resource-smart interventions that address the heterogeneity of offenders and trauma victims, ultimately enhancing rehabilitation outcomes within the bounds of judicial systems.
References
- Brown, L., & Garcia, M. (2021). Trauma-informed care in forensic settings: A review. Journal of Forensic Psychology, 12(3), 145-161.
- Fletcher, K., & Novak, S. (2019). Mindfulness and self-regulation in correctional populations. Psychology of Violence, 9(4), 403-412.
- Garrett, P., et al. (2022). Cognitive-behavioral interventions for offenders: Efficacy and challenges. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 49(2), 178-197.
- Johnson, R., & Lee, A. (2020). Socioeconomic factors and mental health among non-violent offenders. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 64(5), 459-475.
- Kumar, S., et al. (2022). Mental health treatment for trauma survivors within the juvenile justice system. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 16(1), 34.
- Miller, J., & Thomas, K. (2023). Psychopathy and recidivism: Recent advances. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 38(1), 98-117.
- O'Connor, D., & Singh, R. (2022). Anger management programs and violence reduction. Journal of Behavioral Therapy, 33(2), 213-229.
- Smith, D., et al. (2021). Mental health in non-violent offenders: A review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 623-635.
- Wexler, H., et al. (2022). Moral Reconation Therapy: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 61(2), 87-106.
- Williams, S., et al. (2021). Trauma and violence risk factors in forensic populations. Violence and Victims, 36(4), 445-460.