When Treatment Becomes Trauma: PTSD Symptom Severity and Perceptions of Mental Health Following Insular Behavior Modification Programming

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Abstract

Insular behavior modification programs are an underregulated subset of programs targeted at youth that struggle with mental health, substance abuse, and other antisocial behavioral issues. A lack of transparency in these programs has to lead to questions as to what outcomes these programs achieve, especially when considering frequent accusations of abuse. Using survey data collected from a sample of previous program attendees between March and August 2024 (n=473), this study seeks to determine if attendees experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and, if so, if the severity of these symptoms are influenced by the type of abuse experienced or marginalized identity. Every respondent reported symptoms of PTSD, with more than 83% of respondents meeting the criteria for provisional PTSD diagnosis. Individuals with cognitive disabilities, as well as LGBQ+ individuals, reported significantly higher PTSD symptom severity scores than those without cognitive disabilities or with a heterosexual orientation. Respondents with cognitive and ambulatory disabilities reported significantly worse perceptions of their mental health than those without these disabilities. These results may speak to some of the internal mechanisms that occur within these programs, providing direction for future research regarding these programs and their structure.

Author

• Rachel M. Corsello, University of South Dakota