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Psychiatric hospital treatment of assaultive homicidal children
American Journal of Psychotherapy
|April 1, 1980
Insights
This study explores child homicidal behavior and its hospital treatment. Hospitalization aids in managing violent impulses and reducing conflicts for children and their families.
Area of Science:
- Child psychology
- Forensic psychiatry
- Pediatric behavioral health
Background:
- Understanding the spectrum of homicidal behavior in children is crucial for effective intervention.
- Assaultive behaviors in children often stem from complex underlying conflicts requiring specialized assessment.
Observation:
- The article outlines a framework for categorizing child homicidal behavior.
- It details the specific conflicts observed in assaultive children.
Findings:
- Hospitalization is identified as a critical initial phase for treating children with homicidal impulses.
- Treatment goals include redirecting violent urges, enhancing ego functions, and resolving intrapersonal and interpersonal conflicts.
Implications:
- Early intervention and structured hospitalization can significantly alter the trajectory of severe behavioral issues in children.
- Addressing conflicts within the child and the family unit is paramount for successful treatment outcomes and prevention.
Abstract:
This article defines a spectrum of homicidal behavior of children, specifies conflicts of assaultive children, and describes the hospital treatment of such children. Hospitalization is often the best first phase of treatment with goals of redirecting homicidal impulses, strengthening ego functioning, and reducing conflicts for the child and parents.