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Management of the assaultive adolescent.
1Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL.
Hospital & Community Psychiatry
|June 1, 1992
Summary
Understanding adolescent violence is complex. Psychodynamic treatment helps violent adolescents manage emotions and improve self-understanding, recognizing that aggression may stem from unmet needs for connection.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Psychology
- Psychodynamic Theory
Background:
- Assaultive adolescent behavior presents significant challenges in evaluation and treatment.
- Adolescent violence is often linked to factors like substance use, depression, and family environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review psychodynamic factors contributing to adolescent violence.
- To explore management and treatment strategies for violent adolescents.
Main Methods:
- A psychodynamic perspective is used to analyze factors associated with adolescent violence.
- Review of management and treatment issues in the context of psychodynamic theory.
Main Results:
- Adolescent violence can stem from a desire for affection, not solely narcissistic rage.
- Violent adolescents often struggle with emotional awareness, affect differentiation, and distinguishing thoughts from actions.
Conclusions:
- Psychodynamic treatment can help adolescents experience and manage affect, fostering self-understanding and communication.
- Recognizing underlying needs for connection is crucial in treating violent adolescents.