An exploration of the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on youth engagement in residential treatment

Camela M. Steinke and Raquel Moriarty Derrick

Children and Youth Services Review, 2018, vol. 89, issue C, 355-363

Abstract: Literature suggests that child maltreatment may have a negative impact on a youth's ability to engage in treatment, particularly because it might hinder their ability to form a therapeutic bond with the clinician. Despite the prevalence of this viewpoint, there have been few empirical studies that substantiate this negative relationship. This study uses a sample of youth in residential treatment to assess the relationship between child maltreatment, as assessed by the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire, and engagement in treatment, including readiness to change, bond with staff and collaboration on goals and tasks. Results from a sample of 130 youth in residential treatment indicate that instead of a negative relationship between maltreatment and engagement, including its components, a positive relationship exists. Youth with higher levels of maltreatment as measured by ACEs displayed higher levels of engagement in treatment and its components. The findings suggest that more research needs to be done to better understand how maltreatment impacts engagement in treatment and its components.

Keywords: Engagement in treatment; Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs); Readiness to change; Therapeutic alliance; Child maltreatment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:89:y:2018:i:c:p:355-363

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.04.039

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