OhioCanDo4Kids

As the10th anniversary of September 11, 2001 approaches, kids will be exposed to information
and images regarding the tragedy. We hope the combination of Nick News with Linda Ellerbee:
and this discussion guide will be a useful resource that will help get you and your child talking—together! The content in this document was created in collaboration with the American Psychological Association.

A Discussion Guide for Parents, Caregivers and Educators

Reactions and Guidelines for Children following Crisis and Trauma

Reactions and Guidelines for Children following Crisis and Trauma (Japanese Version)

After a Loved One Dies—How Children Grieve

The Child Forensic Interviewer and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Trainings can be found at The Childhood Trust

Ten-Year Research Update Review: Child Sexual Abuse

FRANK W. PUTNAM, M.D.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To provide clinicians with current information on prevalence, risk factors, outcomes, treatment, and prevention of child sexual abuse (CSA).To examine the best-documented examples of psychopathology attributable to CSA. Method: Computer literature searches of Medline and PSYCInfo for key words. All English-language articles published after 1989 containing empirical data pertaining to CSA were reviewed. Results: CSA constitutes approximately 10% of officially substantiated child maltreatment cases, numbering approximately 88,000 in 2000. Adjusted prevalence rates are 16.8% and 7.9% for adult women and men, respectively. Risk factors include gender, age, disabilities, and parental dysfunction. A range of symptoms and disorders has been associated with CSA, but depression in adults and sexualized behaviors in children are the best-documented outcomes. To date, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) of the child and a nonoffending parent is the most effective treatment. Prevention efforts have focused on child education to increase awareness and home visitation to decrease risk factors. Conclusions: CSA is a significant risk factor for psychopathology, especially depression and substance abuse. Preliminary research indicates that CBT is effective for some symptoms, but longitudinal follow-up and large-scale “effectiveness” studies are needed. Prevention programs have promise, but evaluations to date are limited. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2003, 42(3):269–278.

How to Maintain Emotional Health When Working with Trauma

By Joy D. Osofsky, Frank W. Putnam, and Judge Cindy S. Lederman

ABSTRACT

Vicarious traumatization, compassion fatigue, or secondary traumatization refers to the cumulative effect of working with survivors of traumatic life events as part of everyday work. Although this issue has been acknowledged and addressed among professionals such as police officers and medical professionals, it has been discussed less among juvenile and family court judges who also experience secondary traumatic stress. In fact, in one recent study, a majority of judges reported one or more symptoms of secondary traumatization. This article describes the common signs and symptoms of secondary trauma, job-related factors that contribute to secondary trauma among judges, and the potential negative impact on organizational performance. The authors conclude with specific recommendations tailored for juvenile and family court judges.

Explanation of Dissociation
Dissociation is defined as a disruption in the usually integrative functions of consciousness, memory, identity and/or perception (DSM-IV-TR, page 519). Clinical research has consistently found that a high level of dissociation is significantly associated with major psychopathology. In some instances, this takes the form of a DSM-defined dissociative disorder. In other instances, the dissociation is associated with another DSM diagnosis such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Somatization Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder or Acute Stress Disorder. High levels of dissociation have also been repeatedly found to be associated with antecedent experiences of trauma and life-threatening experiences. It is important to screen for dissociation in psychiatric patients and traumatized individuals as the presence of a high level may inform clinical care as well as help to identify an unrecognized dissociative disorder which requires specialized treatment.