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Detention Center Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms Among Immigrant Children and Children of Immigrants

One of the hardest decisions to make as a parent is sacrificing all you have for yourself and for your children in order to better their lives so that they do not have to struggle growing up. Making the decision to drop everything one has and migrate to the United States for a better opportunity and achieve the “American Dream” is not easy. Neither is gaining citizenship status in a place where the language is foreign, the environment is hostile and competitive, and the requirements for legalization are very difficult to obtain. This is why so many immigrants risk their lives everyday to make a living for themselves and work hard to make money to take care of their children, have a place to live, and be able to afford food to live. There is also the risk of arrest, detention, and/or deportation, where law enforcement efforts take place in the form of worksite and home raids (Flores et al., 2016). These raids can leave some children, especially U.S. born ones, coming home to empty homes only to find out that their parents have been taken to detention centers or sent back to their country of origin. 

Children of immigrants represent 25 percent of the millions of children in the United States and over 88 percent of immigrant-origin children are U.S. born with a foreign-born parent (Flores et al., 2016). Because of this fact, these children are more at risk of psychological distress and mental health issues due to trauma and fear for their parents. In a study that looked at 91 Latino U.S. born children (ages 6 to 12), Flores and her colleagues find that PTSD symptoms and psychological distress is more common and puts these children at higher risks of serious mental health problems than children who do not suffer from any risks of immigration in their family (2016). The study also emphasizes that “children of detained or deported parents were rated by parents and clinicians as higher in internalizing problems and in negative moods and emotions”, where depressive and anxious problems were seen to be more prevalent among these children (Flores et al., 2016). ICE raids can be very traumatizing for children, especially when aggression and force is involved. Children are very vulnerable individuals and can become traumatized by very sensitive situations, so seeing this kind of interaction and watching their family being taken away can leave a lasting impact on their lives and their psychological well-being. As discussed by Rousseau (2025) and Bartol and Bartol (2017), there learning and situational risk factors, environmental risk factors, and biological risk factors can affect a person's lives, especially in the case of children who now have to grow up with the trauma of their parents being deported and possibly being forced into adoption centers or with family member with legal status (possibly family members who they have never met or might not trust). 

There is also the trauma of immigrant children who must experience being in a detention center and live through traumatic treatment at these facilities. Maclean and colleagues (2019) found that among the 425 children they studied, 32 percent demonstrated elevated scores for emotional problems, 14 percent peer problems, and children between 4 and 8 years of age demonstrated difficulties associated with conduct, hyperactivity, and total difficulties compared to older children. The data also showed that of the 150 children who participated in the PTSD testing, 17 percent of them had a probable diagnosis of PTSD (Maclean et al., 2019). This demonstrates that children being held in immigration detention experience high levels of mental health distress and that the psychological impacts of being children of immigrants or children of immigrant status can scar an adolescent and traumatize their lives, possibly creating more problems for them later on in their lives.  

References: 

Flores, L. R., Clements, M. L., Koo, J. H., & London, J. (2016). Trauma and Psychological Distress in Latino Citizen Children Following Parental Detention and Deportation. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. American Psychological Association. 

MacLean, S. A., Aggyeman, P. O., Walther, J., Singer, E. K., Baranowski, K. A., & Katz, C. L. (2019). Mental health of children held at a United States immigration detention center. Social Science and Medicine. 

Rousseau, D. (2025) Module One Lecture Notes. Boston University, Blackboard. BU.edu. 

Mindfulness in Trauma Treatment

The Intersection of Trauma and Mindfulness: A Path to Healing

Trauma is a deeply personal and complex experience that can shape an individual's thoughts, behaviors, and overall well-being. Traditional therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), have been utilized for a long time to help individuals process and cope with traumatic experiences (Kabat-Zinn, 1990). However, mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have gained increasing attention as a complementary and effective approach to trauma healing (Treleaven, 2018). I wanted to explore the role of mindfulness in trauma therapy, its benefits, and considerations for implementation.

Understanding Mindfulness in Trauma Treatment

Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally focusing on the present moment with acceptance and non-judgment (Kabat-Zinn, 1990). This approach encourages individuals to observe their thoughts and emotions without becoming overwhelmed or reactive. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a well-established program that incorporates mindfulness to enhance emotional regulation and distress tolerance (Treleaven, 2018).

For trauma survivors, mindfulness offers a way to reconnect with the present rather than being stuck in distressing memories of the past. Trauma often manifests as hypervigilance, emotional dysregulation, and avoidance behaviors, all of which mindfulness can help address by fostering self-awareness and grounding techniques (Treleaven, 2018).

The Benefits of Mindfulness for Trauma Survivors

1. Regulation of the Nervous System: Trauma can keep the nervous system in a state of hyperarousal or dissociation. Mindfulness helps individuals develop skills to self-soothe and regulate their physiological responses to stress (Treleaven, 2018).
2. Increased Distress Tolerance: By practicing nonjudgmental awareness, individuals learn to sit with discomfort rather than suppress or avoid painful emotions (Kabat-Zinn, 1990).
3. Empowerment and Self-Compassion: Trauma often leads to feelings of powerlessness and self-blame. Mindfulness cultivates self-compassion, allowing individuals to treat themselves with kindness and understanding (Neff, 2011).

Cultural Considerations in Mindfulness-Based Trauma Therapy

While mindfulness has been widely embraced in Western psychology, it is essential to recognize its origins in Eastern traditions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. Therapists should approach mindfulness with cultural humility, ensuring that it is adapted appropriately for diverse populations (Treleaven, 2018). Additionally, some individuals with severe trauma histories may find that mindfulness is triggering, as more awareness of bodily sensations can intensify distress. Practitioners should carefully assess readiness and modify techniques to ensure safety and effectiveness (Treleaven, 2018).

Implementing Mindfulness in Trauma Therapy

For clinicians and mental health practitioners incorporating mindfulness into trauma treatment, the following strategies can be beneficial:

• Start with Small, Guided Practices: Short breathing exercises or grounding techniques can serve as a gentle introduction (Treleaven, 2018).
• Use Trauma-Sensitive Approaches: Programs such as Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness (TSM) provide frameworks to integrate mindfulness safely (Treleaven, 2018).
• Encourage Flexibility: Not all mindfulness techniques work for everyone. Encourage clients to explore various practices and find what resonates (Neff, 2011).

Conclusion

Mindfulness offers a powerful and accessible tool for trauma survivors to regain control over their emotional and physiological responses. While not a standalone treatment, it serves as an invaluable complement to evidence-based trauma therapies. By fostering self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience, mindfulness can pave the way for deeper healing and transformation. As therapists, it is our responsibility to approach mindfulness with sensitivity, cultural awareness, and adaptability to best serve those on their healing journeys.

References

Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. Delta.

Neff, K. (2011). Self-compassion: Stop beating yourself up and leave insecurity behind. HarperCollins.

Treleaven, D. A. (2018). Trauma-sensitive mindfulness: Practices for safe and transformative healing. W. W. Norton & Company.

A Blog Post: The trauma that comes from reporting sexual assault

It has been shown that women who have experienced sexual assault represent the majority of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder cases (PTSD) in the U.S (Bartol & Bartol, 2021). Sexual assaults can have psychologically damaging effects on an individual. The lingering effects apart from PTSD include depression, anxiety, and even an increase in the contemplation of suicide. Apart from the act itself, sexual assault survivors that decide to report their case to law enforcement may experience a second victimization called the “second assault” (Rousseau, 2025). The “second assault” may even be more traumatizing to the individual than the act itself.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to talk with a sexual assault survivor, who chose to remain anonymous, on her experience of recovery and reporting. For context, the type of sexual assault this individual endured is classified as date rape, which is a “sexual assault that occurs within the context of a dating relationship (Rousseau, 2025).” Date rape is the most common type of rape, with 80% of all cases being classified under this typology. Oddly enough, date rape cases are generally not reported and the rapists tend to not be prosecuted. That’s why it did not surprise me, unfortunately, when this individual said she did report her case to law enforcement, but wasn’t able to prosecute the defendant. 

In trying to get justice for herself, she heavily experienced the “second assault,” and stated that “It was honestly more traumatizing than being raped. If I had the chance to redo it all, I would not have reported it. I would have just kept it to myself.” Victims of sexual assault often self-blame, especially victims of date rape cases. In date-rape cases, victims often feel like they are at fault for what happened. This is because of reasons such as the victim intentionally choosing to go on that date or meet that person, which all does not correlate with them giving sexual consent (Rousseau, 2025). This individual blamed herself for what happened. Even when her friends and family all believe that she wasn’t at fault, she struggled with this feeling for a long time. It was not until she received help from resources such as group through Rape Crisis Center (RCC) that she started to feel that she was not in the wrong. Though the incident happened years ago, she still to this day struggles with this feeling. These resources did help her find healthy ways to cope when these feelings arise and learn how to overcome these thoughts. Self-blaming thoughts are a major factor in the psychological damage that comes with being sexually assaulted (Bartol & Bartol, 2021). She stated “I blamed myself for it, and it would spiral. My thoughts would spiral so much to the point that there was a period of time that not living anymore didn’t seem too bad at all.” This shows how self-blame can exacerbate one’s psychological state.

How sexual assaults are reported differs from how other criminal cases are reported to the police. When choosing to report, the sexual assault survivors would first have to do a  medical examination. The purpose of this examination is to establish any DNA evidence that shows that the survivor had been penetrated or harmed. This initial process alone is quite intrusive and may be traumatic to survivors. Next, the victims undergo a preliminary interview with the detective, where it is uninterrupted and the victim tells the detective the gist of what happened or whatever comes to the victim’s mind regarding the incident (Archambault & Lonsway, 2008). After giving the victim some time to rest, eat, and process what has happened, a more detailed interview would be conducted. This is where the detective would ask questions to try to get the needs of interviewing met. The needs include to “establish that the element of a sexual assault are met, evaluate the need for a forensic examination, identify the crime scene and any related evidence, witnesses, and the suspect(s), and establish the identity of the suspect, and contact information if known (Archambault & Lonsway, 2008).” 

Interviewing a sexual assault survivor is quite difficult because there are many factors that the detective has to take into account and be mindful of. Detectives would have to be approachable, nonjudgmental, establish rapport, and be able to be mindful when wording questions with the individual. This is because talking about a sexual assault event is stressful and very personal, which may be humiliating to the individual, especially when the questions are asking about quite graphic details of the account to a stranger in uniform. The way detectives word questions can influence the extent to which the individual feels like they should blame themselves for the incident (Archambault & Lonsway, 2008). The interview would have to be conducted in a strategic way. Having multiple people interviewed would help limit the number of times the victim would have to recall the event over and over again, such as the detectives could interview responding police officers and forensic examiners in this process. Detectives should also avoid “handing off” the case to another detective in order to establish rapport (Archambault & Lonsway, 2008). Importantly, the purpose of any interview is never to revisit old information again but to obtain new information about the case in order to limit the amount of times the individual relives the event(s) again. 

Sexual assault victims may have differing reactions to trauma, which could influence the way they interview. Their statements may be incomplete, inconsistent, or sometimes even false. This is due to the fact that trauma could make one have perceptual narrowing, loss of cognitive and motor skills, and incident amnesia (Archambault & Lonsway, 2008). Perceptual narrowing is when the victim focuses on one of the five senses and essentially ignores the others. An example of this is focusing on the weapon used in the incident but not knowing any information about the person holding it. The loss of cognitive and motor skills means that the victim may freeze up and not know what to do in that situation. The individual that I interviewed stated that she experienced a loss of motor skills, freezing up during the incident and not being able to stand up and walk out the door, which she says she struggles in being okay with/scolding herself for. Incident amnesia is when the individual doesn’t remember parts of the act or the act itself (Archambault & Lonsway, 2008). During her interview, she stated that she couldn’t remember the details that the detective wanted, because of the traumatic event and being under the influence. The detective encouraged her to try to remember. Her statements were inconsistent because she was struggling to remember. Out of instinct, she made a mistake by resorting to filling-in-the-blank during the interview, which may have held some false statements. This was a mistake because later in the process, the detective stated that she remembered too much information which indicated that she wasn’t under the influence enough to have it been prosecutable rape. 

The process of interviewing sexual assault survivors is quite difficult for both the victim and the detective. The detective would have to know how to distinguish between the actual recall event and the effects of trauma. The detective would also have to establish a comfortable environment and a trusting rapport. The sexual assault survivor would have to be able to recall the traumatic events, reliving it and overcoming the effects of trauma at the same time. Simultaneously these parts would work together in order for the detective to piece together the best defense for the survivor.   

References: 

Archambault, J., & Lonsway, K. A., (2008). Incomplete, Inconsistent, and Untrue Statements made by Victims: Understanding the Causes and Overcoming the Challenges. End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI). 

Bartol, C. r., & Bartol, A. M. (2021). Criminal behavior: a psychological approach (12th ed.). Pearson Education/Prentice Hall; Pearson.

Rousseau, D. (2024). Lecture Notes, Module Five. Forensic Behavior Analysis. MET CJ 725.

Strategies for Effective Self-Care in High Stress Professions

Self-care is essential for maintaining physical, emotional, and mental well-being, especially for people working in high-stress professions like criminal justice and corrections. These fields often expose professionals to emotionally taxing situations, high workloads, and unpredictable environments, making it crucial to incorporate intentional self-care strategies. Without proper self-care, chronic stress can lead to burnout, decreased job performance, and even long-term health issues. By prioritizing well-being, criminal justice professionals can improve resilience, enhance job satisfaction, and maintain their effectiveness in the field.

One of the most basis aspects of self-care is prioritizing physical health. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep all contribute to better energy levels and mental clarity. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week to promote overall health. Additionally, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule of seven to nine hours per night helps to regulate mood, improve cognitive function, and reduce stress. Given the demanding nature of criminal justice and corrections work, physical health is especially important in helping professionals manage the physical toll of their jobs.

Setting healthy boundaries is another crucial self-care strategy, particularly for those in high-pressure roles. Criminal justice professionals often deal with heavy workloads, emotionally intense cases, and long hours, which can lead to burnout if boundaries are not established. The American Psychological Association emphasizes the importance of setting clear limits with work and personal life to prevent stress from becoming overwhelming. Learning to say no, taking time off when needed, and creating a separation between work and home life can help maintain balance and protect mental health.

Mindfulness and stress management techniques can also be powerful tools for people working in stressful environments. Practices such as meditation, deep breathing, and journaling have been shown to lower cortisol levels, and hormones associated with stress. Research by Kabat-Zinn (2019) highlights that even dedicating five to ten minutes a day to mindfulness exercises can improve emotional resilience and mental clarity. For people working in criminal justice or corrections, taking a few minutes to engage in mindfulness before or after a shift can help process difficult experiences and reduce emotional fatigue (Kabat-Zinn, 2019).

Another important self-car strategy is to engage in activities that bring you happiness. Hobbies and leisure activities like reading, painting, hiking, or listening to music, all provide an emotional outlet that help to maintain a work/life balance. Studies suggest that participating in enjoyable activities improves mood, reduces anxiety, and increases overall life satisfaction (Pressman et al., 2009). For criminal justice professionals, finding time for personal interests outside of work is vital in preventing burnout.

Finally, maintaining strong social connections is crucial for self-care, particularly for people working in emotionally demanding professions. Having a support system of friends, family, or even colleagues who understand the challenges of the job can provide emotional support and reduce stress. Social interactions contribute to a sense of belonging and improve mental health. Research by House et al., (1988) found that strong social relationships are directly linked to better physical and emotional well-being. Whether through peer support groups, professional counseling, or simply spending time with loved ones, can help people in high-stress jobs, like jobs in the criminal justice system, cope with the challenges of their work.

Self-care cannot be considered a luxury. It is a necessity for all people but more importantly for people working in demanding jobs. By prioritizing physical well-being, setting boundaries, practicing mindfulness, engaging in leisure activities, and maintaining strong relationships, professionals in these demanding roles can protect their long-term health.

References

American Psychological Association. (2024, October 22). Coping with stress at work. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/healthy-workplaces/work-stress#:~:text=Establish%20boundaries.&text=Although%20people%20have%20different%20preferences,stress%20that%20goes%20with%20it.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, December 20). Adult activity: An overview. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/adults.html

House, J. S., Landis, K. R., & Umberson, D. (1988). Social Relationships and health. Science, 241(4865), 540–545. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.3399889

Kabat-Zinn, J. (2019). I didn’t have a moment to catch my breath. Mindfulness, 10(3), 586–587. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-1083-0

Pressman, S. D., Matthews, K. A., Cohen, S., Martire, L. M., Scheier, M., Baum, A., & Schulz, R. (2009a). Association of enjoyable leisure activities with psychological and physical well-being. Psychosomatic Medicine, 71(7), 725–732. https://doi.org/10.1097/psy.0b013e3181ad7978

Mass Murder and it’s motivational typologies

 Mass murder has been a highly sensitive topic for quite some time now. We have heard of many that have occurred over the years, however, the media never gives a full picture of the type of motivational typologies that take place when the suspect commits the crime. We hear about the suspect's past, their childhood, whether they have a mental illness that led them to commit the crime. However we rarely take a look at what is the motivation they carry to commit this horrific crime. In this post, you will learn about different types of motivation. To begin, Mass murder refers to the killing of four or more people, without a cooling off period, typically in a public place ( Rousseau, 2025). 

Moving forward, there are many different typologies that correspond with Mass murder, however, what the media portrays, and what the literature/ text state, do not always sync. According to the book, there are five types of motivational typology that a mass murderer might fall under. Those five categories are: Revenge, Power, Loyalty, Profit, and Terror (Bartol & Bartol,2021). Although there are five categories of motivational typology, the most commonly used is revenge. To continue, we often only see media coverage on public mass killings, which often happen in schools, malls, and workplaces. However, this can also happen within the home. According to research, mass killings involving families have the highest number of ratings ( 48% = 218) ( Fox & Levin, 2022). As mentioned above, the most common motivational typology within these killings is conflict/revenge. 

To conclude, there are a number of cases that illustrate different types of motivation for conducting the crime, revenge happens to be the number one cause for this sort of killing. That is because there might have been conflict with certain individuals within their circle, or outside their circle, which made them feel isolated. This might have been enough of a motive to want to commit the crime, in hopes that they gain the type of revenge they seek. However, they fail to realize the impact it has on the survivors, or the victims' families

Reference:

Bartol, A.M. & Bartol C.R. (2021). Criminal Behavior: A psychological Approach (12th ed.). Pearson. 

Fox.J.A. & Levin.J. (2022). Mass Murder in America:Trends, Characteristics, Explanations,and Policy Response. Homicides Studies. 26(1), 3-117 

https://doi-org.ezproxy.bu.edu/10.1177/10887679211043803

Rousseau (2025).Module 6: The Psychology of Hate and Fear MET CJ720: Forensic Behavior Analysis. Boston University.. 

The Complexity of Serial Killers

According to Criminal Behavior: A Psychological Approach, a serial murderer is defined as an individual who kills two or more victims in separate events. Emma Fridel and James Fox have broken serial killers into three groupings: “those who killed two victims, those who killed three to seven (whom the researchers termed the typical serial killers), and the deadliest killers who had eight or more victims” (Bartol, p. 343). Examples of well-known serial killers in our society include Gary Ridgway, Jack the Ripper, Jeffery Dahmer, and Ted Bundy, but there are often misconceptions in society, perpetuated by the media, that overtake the actuality of serial murderers. 

In the podcast, Speaking of Psychology, Dr. Louis Schlesinger, a forensic psychologist, speaks about the complexity of the psychology of serial murderers. When asked the question of what drives someone to become a serial sexual killer, Dr. Schlesinger states that “the best understanding I think we have at this point is that it’s a biopsychosocial phenomenon with, in my view, a heavy emphasis on neurobiology…And in order for somebody to become a serial sexual murder, I believe many things have to go wrong” (Schlesinger, 2023). This emphasizes the notion that it is not just one factor that leads to individuals committing crimes, but instead, many influences play a role. The podcast proceeds and Schlesinger makes some interesting points that further the overall complexity of serial killers. Particularly stating the inaccuracy of killers in the media, “American people want their serial killers to be evil geniuses with IQs of 180 ... Nothing could be further from the truth” (Schlesinger, 2023). This is just one of the misconceptions Schlesinger points out, along with the role that mental illness plays. It is assumed that all serial killers are psychopaths or suffer from other severe mental illnesses, but that is not always the case. Most of the time in society, there tends to be blame placed on mental illness, something that then proves to be detrimental to those who are actively struggling with mental illness. Understanding the illusions that are put out in society about serial killers is necessary to analyze their psychology and comprehend the intricacy of their criminal behavior. 

Bartol, Curt R.; Bartol, Anne M.. Criminal Behavior: A Psychological Approach. (Function). Kindle Edition. 

Schlesinger, L. (Guest). (2023). Understanding the mind of a serial killer (No. [episode number]). In K. Mills (Host), Speaking of Psychology. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/serial-killer-mind

The Rehabilitative Power of Crafting: A Look at Knitting Behind Bars

I started knitting in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. I had exhausted much of the Netflix streaming library and had not much else to do to occupy my time staying at home. One day, a package arrived in the mail; my mom had ordered me a knitting starter kit, consisting of a ball of yarn, needles, and an instructional book. I was hesitant at first, but boredom eventually pushed me to sit down on my couch and learn how to knit. I have knit almost every day since then, becoming like a form of meditation. 

Many knitters who I know personally or with whom I have interacted online say that knitting is therapeutic. It’s what Lynn Zwerling, the founder of Knitting Behind Bars, calls “the Zen of knitting”. 

Knitting Behind Bars is a crafting program that began in Maryland for incarcerated individuals where they can learn to knit and make items to give back to the community. For Zwerling, Knitting Behind Bars is not only a program that teaches a craft but one that teaches life and job skills like focus and anger management. The program, Zwerling states in an interview with the Washington Post, also provides an opportunity for inmates to socialize in a safe and supportive space, which is something that the prison environment typically lacks.

Knitting Behind Bars is particularly impactful in the ways it promotes healing among participants and helps others in the community who are experiencing trauma. One of the program’s first projects was for participants to knit and sew “comfort dolls” which were donated to Baltimore County’s domestic violence first responders to give to children they might encounter when answering a call. Zwerling states in an interview with NPR that this project had a particularly profound effect on inmates who had experienced domestic violence or abuse in the past. In a way, helping others navigate their trauma allowed inmates to recognize and address their own. 

Now, inmates give most of their projects to children in need in the Baltimore area, fostering empathy among inmates for those in their communities. This practice of empathy is particularly important in the correctional setting, where a lack of empathy is often a major contributor to criminal behavior. 

Looking at Knitting Behind Bars has made me realize that something as simple as knitting can have a profound impact in the criminal justice field. Knitting and other crafts can be used not only for individualized self-care but also as a tool for rehabilitation and healing. This sets the stage for the development of new, innovative programs in corrections and beyond. 

References

Martin, M. (2012, January 9). Knitting Behind Bars, learning focus and patience. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2012/01/09/144904615/knitting-behind-bars-learning-focus-and-patience 

Livingston, Michael II. (2014, April 25). At prison, a class that isn’t necessarily about knitting. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/2014/04/24/a814362a-ae0e-11e3-a49e-76adc9210f19_story.html

Trauma and the Dark Triad

Trauma and the Dark Triad

                  “A cluster of personality traits that are associated with criminal psychopathy.  The cluster includes psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism” (Bartol et al., page 225).  Like many other personality disorders, the traits of the ‘dark triad’ can be found rooted within traumatic experiences early in life.  Each trait is a stand-alone characteristic describing aspects of the personality, and they work in combination with each other allowing the dark triad traits to further develop.  What is the relationship of early life trauma as it relates to the dark triad traits?

                  John Bowlby, a British psychiatrist, provided the ‘attachment theory’ as part of the relationship between childhood trauma and the development of psychopathic traits.  He theorized, through his “’maternal deprivation hypothesis’…that if a child’s attachment to a mother figure is broken, it damages their social, emotional, and intellectual development…Bowlby found that a lack of attachment resulted in what he called ‘affectionless psychopathy’, the inability to empathize with other people or to form meaningful relationships with them’” (psychologytoday.com).  A second aspect in relating trauma to psychopathy in the dark triad, is a defense mechanism of becoming emotionally numb.  In this, “some children respond to deprivation and trauma by ‘closing in’ on themselves and unconsciously disconnecting themselves from other people and from the world” (psychologytoday.com).  Bond or other emotional connections are not made; what would be a protective factor has turned into a risk factor.  Emotional underdevelopment and lack of emotional coping skills, contributed to the inability to show empathy, a characteristic of psychopathy.

                  The second personality trait within the dark triad is narcissism, which is also developed as a trauma response.  Narcissism can be developed in early childhood as a response to parental neglect or inconsistent parenting.  It is in these inadequate child-parent relationship, that can lead to the child not developing good self-esteem or self-worth.  Without having positive and constant interactions with parents, the child is left to seeking validation from others.  Part of the development of narcissistic traits is displayed by grandiosity and inflated sense of importance.  Due to needing to seek validation, the characteristics observed can range from constant need for admiration, to be the center of attention, and a belief of superiority above all.  The over glorification of self is the trauma response for feelings of inadequacy as a child.  As narcissists grow through their childhood experiences while learning how to survive, the individual can become very skilled in manipulation, exploitation of others, and develop charisma to achieve what they want, no matter the price.

                  The third trait in the dark triad rooted in early trauma, is Machiavellianism.  This trait is “characterized by focus on one’s own ambition and interests and adopting a utilitarian perspective in interactions with others…are prone to lying for personal gain and engaging in manipulative tactics to achieve success…tend to disregard ethical values” (files.eric.ed.gov).  This trait is the culmination of childhood traumas mixed with the need to survive.  As this type of behavior is reinforced through the life cycle of achieving positive outcomes, it becomes an effective way for the individual to further protect themselves.  This trait, along with psychopathy and narcissism, is founded in a lack of emotional connections and relationships, in response to trauma early in life, without ever developing empathy or care for anyone but themselves.

                  Early life trauma is experienced differently for every individual; how one copes with this trauma is also different for everyone.  With survival of these trauma paramount, individuals turn to themselves to develop the necessary tools to make it out of traumatic situations.  While these three distinct personality traits can be recognized in every single person separately, not all use them in devious ways.  It is the combination of these three traits working together that become the dark triad.

Resources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/out-of-the-darkness/202404/the-roots-of-evil

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1394069.pdf

Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2021). Criminal behavior: a psychological approach (12th ed.). Pearson Education/Prentice Hall; Pearson.

Untouchable in Iraq Article – Effects of PTSD and Trauma

The article "Untouchable in Iraq. Ex-Sniper Dies in a Shooting Back Home" shines a light on how much individuals go through when they are deployed overseas. From training to real life experiences in areas someone has never dealt with before, weighs heavy on individuals and mental health sometimes goes unchecked or miss treated. The story of Chris Kyle was one that should of not happen, a war hero and decorated military individual comes home from experiencing the very same things the subject who killed him did, Chris was just trying to help those that needed that help. This situation as well as many others shine a light on the fact that we prepare these individuals for weeks, months on end to prepare for battle, but not for what they are going to witness, or be exposed to, and really not be able to handle it when they come back state side. We see this in other professions as well. It is nice to see many are putting mental health on the forefront of doing better, but I do not think we are nearly where we need to be on this topic and mass prescribing medications to people who need help is not the answer.

I think we need to have better treatment approaches as well as solutions to help these individuals who suffer from mental health that have been in traumatic experiences such as combat and law enforcement work. Providing more training and resources to help individuals who suffer from PTSD, from group therapy, to specialized therapies, but I would like to see less with the over medicating of individuals because the various medications that are out there may or may not treat the condition the person is going through, but also may cause additional health related concerns. We also see a lot of stigma and public perception when it comes to PTSD which makes it challenging for those who may be suffering from these types of conditions and may be afraid to come forward for the help they need because they do not want to be perceived as weak or one of the many other views.

Affording more assistance, and care for individuals suffering from PTSD as well as trauma could help prevent many of the mental health crisis we see today where they become so serve that individuals commit criminal behavior such as in the case of Chris Kyle. It could also help lower the suicide rate among individuals who suffer from these conditions.

Resources:

Fernandez, M., & Schwirtz, M. (2013, February 4). Untouchable in Iraq, Ex-Sniper Dies in a Shooting Back Home. New York Times, A1(L). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A317393855/AONE?u=mlin_b_bumml&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=83cac05c