ABSTRACT
This article discusses the use of play therapy and art therapy treatment techniques for persons in substance abuse treatment who have a history of incest victimization. While substance abuse treatment focuses on substance abuse, neglecting to address issues related to past incest contact may increase the potential for relapse. This population displays unique characteristics that may prevent them from participating in, or benefitting from, traditional treatment modalities (which are highly dependent upon the verbal interactions between clients and therapists). Play therapy and art therapy are discussed in terms of history, rationale, and benefits to clients.
Subject(s)
Art Therapy/methods , Incest , Play Therapy/methods , Substance-Related Disorders/therapy , Survivors/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Psychodrama/methods , Substance-Related Disorders/etiologyABSTRACT
Clients receiving substance abuse treatment from 35 treatment facilities throughout the United States were surveyed using the Substance Abuse and Incest Survey-Revised (SAIS-R). A total of 732 participants responded to the survey; 518 (71%) were males, 204 (28%) were females, and 10 (1%) did not indicate gender. Participants had a mean age of 33.8 years, were predominately Caucasian (61.6%), never married (45.2%), were currently unemployed (69.4%), and had completed an average of 11.7 years of education. Of the entire sample, 266 (36.3%) reported having been victims of incest; 151 were males and 113 were females (2 did not indicate gender). The group reporting incest histories had a significantly greater percentage of females that did the group not reporting incest histories (chi 2 = 48.1, p < .001). Participants with incest histories were asked about their perceptions regarding incest, substance abuse, and counseling. Item responses were examined using descriptive statistics and factor analysis. The factor analysis on SAIS-R perception items identified five factors that accounted for 68.9% of the variance; these factors were Stigma and Resistance to Counseling; Substance Abuse and Incest; Ambivalence; Fear and Anticipation; and Receptivity to Counseling. Results are presented and the implications for substance abuse treatment and counseling are discussed.
Subject(s)
Child Abuse, Sexual/statistics & numerical data , Incest/statistics & numerical data , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Chi-Square Distribution , Child Abuse, Sexual/psychology , Comorbidity , Cross-Sectional Studies , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Incest/psychology , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Retrospective Studies , Sex Distribution , Substance Abuse Treatment Centers/statistics & numerical data , Substance-Related Disorders/psychology , Substance-Related Disorders/therapy , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Selective abortion of fetuses with Down syndrome was discussed in terms of current abortion perspectives, genetic testing, legislation, and ethical principles. Legal doctrine and practice were presented in terms of the disparate treatment given the fetus with Down syndrome as compared to the fetus with no apparent disabilities. Finally, the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, fidelity, and justice were offered as guidelines for the examination of the legal double standards imposed by current legislation.
Subject(s)
Abortion, Eugenic , Down Syndrome/genetics , Ethics, Medical , Female , Genetic Counseling/legislation & jurisprudence , Genetic Testing/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Prenatal Diagnosis , United StatesABSTRACT
Seven hundred thirty-two volunteer participants enrolled in 35 substance abuse treatment facilities across the United States were surveyed to examine the prevalence and nature of incest contacts among adults receiving substance abuse treatment. Results indicated that approximately 36% of the sample reported histories of incest: by gender, 29% of the male and 55% of the female participants reported incest histories. Data are presented regarding the age during incest contact, frequency of contacts and involvement of force, alcohol, and drugs. In addition, comparisons between incest and nonincest groups of participants are presented. Implications for substance abuse treatment facilities and staff are presented.
Subject(s)
Incest/statistics & numerical data , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Causality , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Seventy-seven volunteer participants enrolled in eight substance abuse treatment facilities were surveyed using the Substance Abuse and Incest Survey. Of the sample, 36 (48%) reported histories of incest. For participants reporting incest, data on substance abuse history, perceptions of the relationship between incest and substance abuse, and opinions regarding incest-related counseling in the context of substance abuse treatment are presented. Recommendations for substance abuse professionals and facilities are made, including intake screening, barriers to treatment, counselor education, and future research.
