Disruptive Behaviors in Adolescents (Week 7)

Question 1

According to psychodynamic theory, what causes disruptive behavior in adolescents?

Answer 1

Impaired parent-child attachment (particularly insecure attachment) and inadequate
superego development

Question 2

what kind of behavior does secure-affectionate attachment evoke?

Answer 2

children willing to give up immediate gratification to gain parent
approval

Question 3

what kind of behavior does insecure-ambivalent attachment evoke?

Answer 3

children are LESS willing to give up immediate gratification to gain parent approval

Question 4

what do loving internal images of parents cause adolescents to do?

Answer 4

make parental norms and values their own

Question 5

what do rejectful/hurtful images of parents cause adolescents to do?

Answer 5

view adults as selfish and uncaring, if not hurtful and cruel (Lying, manipulation, and intimidation seem like reasonable ways to deal with authority
figures)

Question 6

what is arguably one of the most important questions to assess when making a clinical assessment regarding disruptive behavior in adolescents?

Answer 6

The motivation/capability distinction is important to assess because it has implications
for treatment planning. The question is whether the youth enjoys and chooses CD behaviors or whether the combination of intense emotional pressures and weak self-control produces CD behaviors that are aversive to the youth.

Question 7

If motivation seems to be the problem, what should be the focus of therapy?

Answer 7

Strengthening parental authority with strict monitoring, enforcement of
rules, and rewards for positive behavior

Question 8

If capability seems to be the problem, what should be the focus of therapy?

Answer 8

Soothing the client’s emotional distress and helping him with executive
functioning.