Young Offenders' Experiences of Traumatic Life Events: A Qualitative Investigation

Abstract

This investigation aimed to look at how a group of young offenders attending an inner-city youth offending team experienced adverse and traumatic life events. A qualitative approach was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight young offenders about their perceptions of difficult experiences and the effects of such events. The interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, Jarman, & Osborn, 1999). Analysis of the accounts yielded a number of themes. Young offenders experienced violence at home, in the community and in custody. Instability and transitions emerged as important themes in relation to school and home. Deprivation was experienced both in terms of poverty and the literal and emotional absence of parents. A variety of cognitive, emotional and behavioural responses to adverse/traumatic experiences were identified, including a blocking out of painful experience and aggression to self and others. There were barriers to seeking or making use of professional support. Custody appeared to offer an opportunity to reflect on and re-evaluate life trajectory. The study concluded that greater consideration of trauma when carrying out assessments would enable ;at risk' young offenders to be identified using clinical interviewing along side standardized measures to aid assessment of the complexity and uniqueness of the response to trauma.

Examining experiences of transition, instability and coping for young offenders in the community: A qualitative analysis

“…Up to 40% of young offenders in the United Kingdom are reportedly not engaged in education, training or employment, often as a result of frequent exclusions or truancy (Anderson et al, 2004;Paton et al, 2009;Stallard et al, 2003), with a further 16% attending 'alternative provision', for example pupil referral units (Ashkar & Kenny, 2009). Therefore, the important monitoring role that schools can play is often not available to this vulnerable young population.…”

“…Research has also highlighted transitions (e.g. between primary and secondary provision, or those within a school day) as difficult periods, particularly for those adolescents who may lack the emotional/social resources to manage these challenges, as a result of difficult early experiences (Bombèr, 2009;Paton et al, 2009;Stewart, Livingston, & Dennison, 2008). Given that school failure and rejection by peers have been linked to offending behaviour, this is an area that requires further consideration (Ashkar & Kenny, 2009).…”

“…In a study exploring young offenders' experiences of trauma, Paton et al (2009) highlighted repeated patterns of instability and multiple transitions, both at home and school. Participants described high levels of uncertainty about living arrangements following breakdown in home circumstances, with some young people spending extended periods of time living with other family members or in the care of the local authority.…”

“…Young offenders commonly experience a wide range of traumatic stressors including victimisation (abuse, family and community violence), neglect, drug and alcohol misuse, life threatening accidents, interpersonal losses and socioeconomic disadvantage, with a high percentage of those with community sentences living within unstable family backgrounds and with the absence of parental figures (Bekaert, 2004;Callaghan et al, 2003;Carswell et al, 2004;Cruise & Ford, 2011;Paton et al, 2009;Stallard et al, 2003).…”

“…However, despite growing recognition of these difficulties, services are failing to address these needs adequately (Callaghan, Young, Pace, & Vostanis, 2003;Carswell, Maughan, Davis, Davenport, & Goddard, 2004;Chitsabesan et al, 2006;Paton, Crouch, & Camic, 2009;Stallard et al, 2003). In order to develop appropriate and accessible services for this vulnerable population, it is important that the views and experiences of young people who access such services are explored (Naylor, Lincoln, & Goddard, 2008;Walsh, Scaife, Notley, Dodsworth, & Schofield, 2011).…”