The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children MIND-BODY SKILLS PROGRAM, EMOTIONAL REGULATION & RECIDIVISM IN ADJUDICATED ADOLESCENTS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER Caelan Kuban, PsyD, MSW THE PROBLEM • Trauma exposure disrupts physiologic processes in the body and results in an impaired ability to maintain emotional regulation. • Over 90% of delinquent youth have experienced an average of 14 distinct traumas in his or her lifetime (Abram et al., 2010). THE CONNECTION: TRAUMA AND DELINQUENCY • Interpersonal violence exposure increases risk for PTSD symptoms, depression, binge drinking and delinquency (Cisler et al., 2012). • Multiple trauma exposure – increased risk for violence perpetration (Duke et al., 2010). • Family conflict, school isolation increase vulnerability to delinquency (Ford et al., 2006). • The disruption in emotional regulation can result in increased delinquency rates. ABSTRACT A mind-body skills program was evaluated to determine its effects on the improvement of emotional regulation, a common symptom in youth with PTSD. This 10-session program consisted of mind-body interventions such as drawing and expressive art, guided imagery, mindfulness meditation, deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, aimed to address the adverse impact PTSD has on physiologic processes in the body. • Pilot study with group (n=10) of adjudicated, urban adolescents with trauma histories enrolled in an eight session trauma intervention program that integrated several mindbody interventions and activities (7 female 3 male with an average age of 14.5 years). • Youth were screened using the TLC Life Event Checklist. • At intake and discharge, youth completed: 3 TLC PTSD Adolescent Questionnaire (CAQ) 3 Social Emotional Assets and Resilience Scale-Adolescents (SEARS-A) 3 Scale of Body Connection (SBC) • Recidivism assessed at intake, discharge and two months after completion of program. THE RESULTS • Recidivism rates were improved by 90% of participants. Nine out of the ten participants in this study self-reported at two-month post intervention no further contact with the juvenile justice system. • Trauma symptoms decreased. • Self-regulation improved. • Body awareness improved. • Body dissociation decreased. • Recidivism rates reduced. • It is suggested that mind-body interventions be incorporated into treatment and used as an adjunct intervention to PTSD treatments with adjudicated youth. www.starr.org/tlc Poster 3d.indd 1 3/28/14 2:32 PM