Troubled Kids: Linking Attachment and Experiences of Extreme Violence and Sexual Assaults

• In Event: Revisiting the Critical Role of Childhood Factors in Predicting Later Life Outcomes I

Abstract

Aim: Analyze links between violent and sexual offending and victimization and qualities of multiple attachment-bonds in troubled kids during upbringing.
Method: Retrospective life-course interview. Interactional analyses at micro- and mesolevel.
Sample: Two-step selection: 1) Ts: 35 troubled kids, 22m - 13f, age 13-19, 1/3 ethnic minorities, and 20 Controls. 2) S who have experienced extreme violence and/or sexual assaults as victims, bystanders or offenders; totally 25s, all from T-group

Main results: An overdose of multiple disrupting attachments at micro- and mesolevel in chaotic families, at school, local community and with authorities. Inside this pattern some experience healthy attachment to school-peers, a teacher or to leisure-time activity when in 1- 6th class. Some experience caring attachments in foster-care. These caring attachment-bonds protect them from experiences of extreme violence and sexual assaults as long as they are active. The bonds break or disappear when they are 12-13 yrs. They leave them or are pushed out. They are replaced by new strong and disruptive attachment-bonds to antisocial gang-peers. Experiences of serious violence and sexual assaults as victims, bystanders and offenders escalate in intensity and occurrences, and get established into a serious pattern.

Prototype cases will be presented at the conference

Author

• Ragnhild Aspen Tombre Bjørenebekk, Norwegian Police University College