The core conflictual relationship theme (CCRT) method: testing with adult offenders who have intellectual and developmental disabilities

• Published in: Advances in mental health and intellectual disabilities 2013-01, Vol.7 (5), p.263-271
• Main Authors: Scott Hackett, Simon, Porter, Jill, L. Taylor, John
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; Alliances; Anecdotes; Autism; Autistic spectrum disorders; Behavior; Child Abuse; Communication Skills; Correctional treatment programs; Developmental Disabilities; Domestic violence; Feasibility; Feedback (Response); Health & social care; Intellectual disabilities; Intellectual Disability; Interviews; Learning & intellectual disabilities; Literacy; Medical research; Men; Mild Intellectual Disability; Modeling (Psychology); Narratives; Offenders; Offenses; Outcomes of Treatment; Patients; Personal information; Personality Problems; Pornography; Privacy; Psychotherapy; Reaction Time; Receptive Language; Resistance (Psychology); Risk assessment; Schemas; Sex crimes; Sex offenders; Sexual offences; Studies; Visual Aids
• ISSN: 2044-1282; 2044-1290
• DOI: 10.1108/AMHID-06-2013-0039

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of using the core conflictual relationship theme (CCRT) method, used to assess relationship patterns and interpersonal schemas, within a small group of men who had intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The relationship anecdote paradigm interview, with minor adaptation, was used to collect material from participants necessary to generate a CCRT. CCRTs formulated in the study are described and consideration is given to the potential clinical application of CCRT method in this patient group. Design/methodology/approach – A small sample of four men with IDD was taken from a medium-low secure forensic service. Initial interviews, necessary to elicit narrative anecdotes for CCRT formulation, were conducted at the start of a psychotherapeutic treatment study. Trained judges completed a CCRT formulation for each participant. Findings – Participants in the study were able to provide personal information necessary to formulate a CCRT. Unexpected common themes were shared in participants who had committed contact sexual offences, this differed from a participant with autistic spectrum disorder who had committed a non-contact sexual offence. The CCRT method can be feasibly used in a mild IDD population. The CCRT method is clinically relevant and provides an opportunity for the exploration of clinical micro-theories related to interpersonal schemas found in offenders who have IDD. Originality/value – This is the first study, to our knowledge, reporting results of the CCRT method with adults who have mild intellectual disabilities.