Social Work and Sexual Violence...Assignment #11

Felicia McCaw
SW 314
Social Work and
Sexual Violence
Assignment #11


Reference: ProQuest Psychology Journals

2011, Vol. 19, No.1, 1-6
1
http://0-sehttp://0-search.proquest.com.library.svsu.edu/psychology/docview/851787634/13A335F1EC41CA32A14/2?accountid=960

ADHD Impulsivity Discipline Referrals, Sexual Harassment, and
Criminal Sexual Deviancy

Compiled and written by:

Janet D. Pittman, M.A.

Name of Study

ADHD Impulsivity Discipline Referrals, Sexual Harassment, and Criminal Sexual Deviancy

Literature

The purpose of this study is to relate that children with impulsive tendencies have a difficult time resulting from the negative attention received and their inability to control their behavior. Subsequently, because of these tendencies of uncontrolled action and possible hitting this can be interpreted as bullying or refusal to follow directions and is labeled as defiance and inappropriate touching can be classified as sexual harassment. The risk of becoming an adult offender is associated by research as related to childhood conduct disorder which involves a persistent behavioral pattern of violating basic rights of others and ignoring age-appropriate social standards.

As related by studies or research conduct disorders often coexist with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorders (ADHD) and levels of impulsivity are related to conduct disorders, anti-social personality disorder and borderline personality disorders which are facets of ADHD. If a disorder like ADHD is broken down and exhibited then this would reflect high similarities of characteristics of ADHD that would cover the prevailing diagnosis. Further, based on the levels of aggression and impulsivity manifested in ADHD this allows referrals coded as sexual harassment when compared to the general student population.

Method Used to Conduct the Study

The study that was used was student self-ratings of their perceived impulsivity and was used to gauge and measure a middle school student population. The target sample consisted of three groups (treatment, control and comparison) with 30 students per group. The random assignment of students to either the treatment or the control eliminated the possibility of systematic differences among the participants.



Felicia McCaw
SW 314
Assignment #8
Page 2

Measures

The study reflects of the 209 students surveyed, 90 students (28 girls and 62 boys) were selected to participate in the study. Ages ranged from 12 to 15 years old, with a mean age of 13.8 years (SD = 0.675). The remaining 149 students who completed the survey (high impulsive group)
were selected using student health records, teacher observations and scores on the self-survey.

High impulse students receive more referrals (75 referrals for the treatment group as compared to 113 referrals for the control group) than low impulsive students (8 referrals).

Results

Based on the study it relayed that impulse students naturally received negative attention from teachers and peers due to behavior exhibited but positive attention and rewards were made available if behavior exhibited was positive. A result of the data analysis further reflects that sexually deviant adolescents have a higher association of ADHD than the normal adolescent population. Also, students with a history of ADHD received 70% of the sexual harassment referrals, a higher percentage than exists in the general school population. Further, the high risk of impulsive students moving into more severe behavior disorders and the justification and use of early intervention preventative programs should continue to be explored to be effective on a short-term and long-term basis.

Conclusion of the Study

Based on the researcher’s acknowledgment a program that focuses on early intervention and positive attention with positive reinforcement of pro-social behavior has an effect on impulsive population that results in better behavior and the need for negative attention diminishes.

My Opinion/thoughts about the study

My opinion of the study is that the relevance of ADHD and impulsivity of students has been established. Also, that discipline referrals are mainly connected to those that have problematic disorders that are concerned with conduct and which are sometimes subsequently related to sexual harassment and criminal sexual deviancy. Further I feel that impulsive behaviors are a pattern of a neurological mis-function and a possible disorder that lacks the incorrect compositional fluid balance in the brain.