Professional-style report

Running Head: PROFESSIONAL-STYLE REPORT 1
Name
Affiliation
Course
Date
Psychological Report
Running Head: PROFESSIONAL-STYLE REPORT 2
Executive Summary
A professional style report is a report offering guidance to the court on other ways to
provide help to a child other than incarceration. In this report, findings are collected whereby;
psychological trouble is the main cause of children that are neglected being involved in criminal
activities. These children find participating in delinquent behaviors as a way of evading the pain
they are going through with the desire of having someone as a role model. In this report, it is
evident that methodological limitations are generally present to consider children participating in
criminal behavior being aware of what they do. However, in general it is evident that a great
percentage of children participating in criminal behavior are affected psychologically. Due to the
psychological trouble children face, cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and sexual
impairment during development making it difficult for the children to explore their potential and
grow well. Additionally, such children worry less of the risks they get involved in despite
whatever they do. Their main aim is often to acquire attention from their parents and even make
the proud. To be able to help such children, it is important to first enable them recognize the
mistakes they have done and lead them to accepting change. This report provides a general
discussion on children assaulting other children.
Introduction
Forensic psychology emphases on identifying and helping individuals with extreme
psychological problem through their transition and treatment until they get better. In many cases,
individuals associated with criminal behaviors are involved with psychological impairments. The
loss of a parent by a child, a parent leaving their child alone without any explanations is a strong
founder to children being associated with criminal activities. Most children think that being
Running Head: PROFESSIONAL-STYLE REPORT 3
associated with criminal activities may create an ability for their parents to recognize them. To
most children, committing and engaging in criminal activities helps create a mentality that they
would have recognition from their parents. Since children lack guidance from their parents and
in search of recognition from their parent get none, the children get psychologically disturbed.
The psychological impairment in children widens when they are changed in different homes and
lack the ability to live as children. This increases the rate in which a child goes through
psychological torture. In this context, we will focus on providing case details and evaluating
aspects, that psychological research can identify in the case explaining the actions of Adam
assaulting another child. In addition, the escalation into more serious offending to develop a set
of recommendations that would provide them with some directions for best intervention such as
accommodation and training/education should be discussed. Our information based on the two
topics will cover the cognitive, social, emotional, and sexual development of a child in
psychological trouble. Additionally, information on the risk factors and protective factors, cycle
of abuse, issues of causality, and methodological limitations of research explaining young
offending are conversed is provided.
Body
Case Details
This case entails a child Adam who sexually assaulted another child. Generally, the
criminal behavior depicted by Adam is increasing daily with time and he is found to be
associated with much more serious crimes from petty ones (Howell, Feld, & Mears, 2012).
Generally, this case focuses on providing explanations on how children can be affected
psychologically, which may lead them to being associated with criminal activities. Moreover, the
roots of children of young age being involved in criminal activities are detailed in this case
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(Leiber, Mack, & Featherstone, 2008). The case provides information on one of the main causes
of children being involved in criminal activities.
Aspects that Psychological Research can identify in the Case Explaining the Actions of
Adam Assaulting another Child
Behaviors shown by children are supported by the surrounding the child has when they
grow up. For a child to fully develop and explore their potential, they ought to grow up in a
secure and comfortable environment (Hipp, 2010). In this case, Adam assaulting another child,
his actions are evidently caused by psychological reasons. The cognitive, social, emotional, and
sexual development of Adam does not seem consistent (Higgins & Boyd, 2008). Due to his
father leaving them and showing no interest in forming a father-son relationship, Adam
expresses his disappointment and cry for affection by being associated with violence (Youth
Offending Team, 2018). Also, their mother giving birth to them with four different fathers has
increased the case of the Adam having psychological problems (Franck & Buehler, 2007).
Cognitively, Adam’s development is slow when compared to that of other children. The
cognitive development of a child being slow may affect their education and even their ability to
acquire knowledge.
The emotional development of psychologically disturbed children is always impaired.
Children need to feel and have the affection and support of their parents or guardian for them to
develop efficiently (Goldson, 2011). When a child lacks the support they need from their parents,
most tend to result into violent activities in order to attain the attention of their parents (Leiber,
Reitzel, & Mack, 2010). Just like Adam, children engaging in criminal activities start out doing
petty crimes with their insinuation that they are punishing their parents and are making them
recognize what they are doing (Franck & Buehler, 2007). Most children think on getting
Running Head: PROFESSIONAL-STYLE REPORT 5
involved in such crimes, their parents who initially were not interested in creating a relationship
with them will be proud of what they have done thus reach out. The child’s emotions get
demolished and may make some believe love does not exists (The Crime Victims Institutes,
2008). Due to their need to connect with a guardian or a parent figure, children get involved in
delinquent behaviors, which lead to them participating in serious offenses.
On their social development, children with psychological impairments have difficulties
interacting with other people. They hardly interact socially with other children due to fear of
being judge and some feel not in place. To most children in this state, interacting socially with
other children is to assault other children (Curri & Tekin, 2006). Their mentality is developed in
a state that they have to harass other children in order for them to feel they matter. Additionally,
lack of support and interest from the parents to know how their children’s well-being and daily
activities leads them to hurt others thus acquire attention (Mackey, 2005). On their sexual
development, these children may be disturbed with the physical changes happening in their
bodies (The Crime Victims Institutes, 2008). To most children, especially boys, the changes they
go through during puberty; breaking of their voices, growth of pubic hairs and broadening of
shoulders make them feel like adults.
Due to not understanding the sexual changes they are going through like wet dreams, the
children may opt to be indulged in violent activities (Carlson, 2009). Additionally, not
understanding the sexual development the children are experiencing may lead to a child
assaulting others since, they have no guidance and are interested with others knowing that they
are mature (Mackey, 2006). In addition, the hormones present during such times, menstruation in
girls may be a trigger to involving in criminal activities with the need to be recognized and
appreciated by people they term close to them (Cook, Buehler, & Henson, 2008). To most
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children, due to experiencing psychological trouble, their development in all areas may be
slowed. With expectations for them to develop in a similar manner as the others, these
expectations may be tarnished with the physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and their sexual
growth being very slow (Bishop, 2000). When one area of a child is affected, the effect draws
much length to the other areas and may at times make them impaired.
In place of the risk factors and protective factors, children that are psychologically
troubled tend to be associated with many risks than they are of staying safe. When associating
with criminal activities, such children never think of the risks they are getting themselves
involved in and other individuals around (Carlson, 2009). The cycle of abuse to psychological
troubled children is continuous. These children channel their pain and anger in abusing other
children in order to cover their own abuse. Due to their psychological torture and not having any
elderly support around, these children opt to harass and even hurt other children (Bishop, 2000).
The cycle of abuse in their lives, continue to recur. The issue of causality is the main reason for
the psychological trouble children go through. Most criminal activities children are involved in
are due to being psychological trouble (ASC Distance Education, 2011). The participation in
delinquency is often a crime of support, help, and attention from these children to their guardians
(Mack, 2017). Neglect of children by parents is the main cause of children being involved in
criminal activities.
Furthermore, it is not easy to provide information on research stating that children
involved in different criminal activities are often aware of what they do (Wild, 2017). In this
aspect of findings, the methodological research is at most limited. Information statistically
provided indicating that children are conversant with the criminal behavior they get associated
with is often triggered by psychological problems and not their own decisions and desires
Running Head: PROFESSIONAL-STYLE REPORT 7
(Amato & Cheadle, 2008). Acting out through being involved in criminal behavior is often
triggered by the desire to be wanted, supported, guided and appreciated by guardians. Due to
most children that are neglected by their parents being moved from one home to another, their
ability to adopt to one secure and comfortable environment is often hindered (ASC Distance
Education, 2011). Therefore, the children end up associating with criminal behavior in order to
attention and are seen in the community (Mack, Leiber, Featherstone, & Monserud, 2007). Due
to the causes behind children associating with criminal activities, methodological information is
near to limited.
Recommendations
The cognitive, emotional, social, and sexual development of Adam is in no way similar to
that of other children and even his siblings. Adam is said to be a social loner and sometimes gets
violent even with his own siblings (Whitworth, 2009). In order to come up with the relevant
recommendations, which be of relevance in finding directions such as accommodation and
training, it is crucial to consider a number of factors concerning the kid (Mason & Prior, 2008).
Some of these factors include the issue of youth offending which Adam got himself involved in.
others include the kind of abuse Adam went through during his childhood (The National Bureau
of Economic Development, 2018). Adam grew up without the love and attention of his father
and mother, and this means that the psychological well-being of this child cannot be similar to
that of most children. Adam’s father has never shown any interest in his child and only contacts
him when it suits him (Omboto, Ondiek, Odera, & Ayugi, 2013). In fact, Adam’s criminal
tendencies can be blamed on his father who has been nothing but a bad influence to the kid.
Running Head: PROFESSIONAL-STYLE REPORT 8
Moreover, his mother who is aged 46 has been reported more often than not to social service on
the count of neglecting her children (Prior & Paris, 2005). Adam’s mother is unemployed and
relies on child benefit to keep going. A child like Adam would have great help from his siblings
in dealing with his issues and attempting to live like a normal child (Wang, Peterson, &
Morphey, 2007). However, he is said not to agree with his siblings and this fact places on
another level.
On the bright side however, Adam admitted to a supervising officer that he enjoyed his
stay at the foster home and even described it as the happiest time of his life (Vito & Higgins,
2013). This kind of revelation from Adam plays a crucial part in coming up with the
recommendations for intervention in terms of accommodation. It has been revealed that Adam is
a kid with criminal tendencies, which have been influenced by his father (Richards, 2011).
Therefore, when looking for the best accommodation for his as a form of intervention, it is
important to put into consideration this fact. Adam may be placed in a foster home, as it seems
like it would really do him good in his cognitive and emotional development (Utting, 2012). On
the other hand, while a foster home seems to be the appropriate accommodation for Adam, one
must not forget about the child’s criminal tendencies (Teasdale & Silver, 2009). Adam has
sexually assaulted a fellow child before, and although his actions are not entirely his fault, the
safety of the other children in the foster home cannot be put at risk by disregarding this issue
(Rosenfeld, White, & Esbensen, 2012). Therefore, in the process of finding the right foster home
for Adam, the individuals concerned should find a place where the children have the same
behavior as Adam. Adam should be placed in a foster home with children with similar issues as
himself. However, they should be careful not to overlook the fact that Adam is well aware of his
criminal behavior, its consequences, and his willingness to do away with it (Amato & Cheadle,
Running Head: PROFESSIONAL-STYLE REPORT 9
2008). Therefore, besides finding Adam the appropriate Foster home, the individuals concerned
should also identify the relevant training and education for him to stop youth offending.
Furthermore, to most neglected children, a good way to help them avoid being involved
in criminal activities is by taking them to school (Safe society Organizations, 2007). Offering
them a chance to attend school and take part in any particular training that can benefit them is a
good way to help them stop delinquent behavior. Children who are neglected often desire
someone to guide them and show them what they ought to do (SILVER & TEASDALE, 2005).
On being provided with education, these children are able to identify that they have no power
over their parents leaving but they still have people whom care for them and are ready to help
them improve their lives. In addition, on training children, they receive different advices that
enable them grow and become better people (Amato & Cheadle, 2008). Also, this provides a
chance for them to understand how they can channel their anger and become better people
(Singer, 2009). On acquisition of knowledge, the children are able to identify that participating in
different crimes does not affect the parents that left then. It only affects their own lives.
Conclusion
In summary, the number of children participating in crimes due to having psychological
problems is on the rise. Most children neglected and left by their parents end up being involved
with criminal activities. This reduces their chances of identifying their potential and increases
their chances of being involved in more serious crimes as time goes on. Before a child is
incarcerated, it is important for the court and the society to do a background check on the child
and find out what reasons could lead the child to participate in criminal activities. On identifying
that a child is troubled psychologically, the court needs to help appoint a guardian to provide
Running Head: PROFESSIONAL-STYLE REPORT 10
support and direction for the child ton work on improving their lives other than being involved in
crime. Generally, children ought to have a secure and stable surrounding for them not to be
involved in criminal activities. It is the duty of every individual in the society to provide
guidance to children and help them develop efficiently.
Running Head: PROFESSIONAL-STYLE REPORT 11
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Running Head: PROFESSIONAL-STYLE REPORT 15
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