Hello class, the name of the article I will be discussing is “ART THERAPY INTERVENTION DESIGNED TO INCREASE SELF-ESTEEM OF AN INCARCERATED PEDOPHILE “by Ackerman, Joy. This article address how the use of art therapy has help pedophile to get control of their illness by address what causes of the behavior and ways to treat the behaviors.
Background
This article address pedophilia, It is defined as adult sexual desire for children, whether it is acted out or not. A researcher believes that pedophiles have psychological development issues which results in low self-esteem and poor skills when it comes to social situations. (Dwyer, 1988) There are several different ways to treat Pedophilias which include psychoanalytic therapy, cognitive and behavioral therapies, family therapy, and social skills groups.
The researcher of this article stated that “that art therapy interventions would (a) increase subject's self-image and body image, and (b) decrease somatic complaints. The subject was expected to improve hygiene and display a less depressed affect while participating in individual art therapy sessions.”( Naitove 1988) . The researcher went into a local state prison and after interviewing several pedophiles they chose Fletcher, a 41 year old male that was convicted pedophile for the rape and molestation of his daughter. Fletcher has self esteem and self confidences issues. Fletcher volunteers for the sex offender program at the prison and was referred for art therapy group, “he had completed psychoeducational modules in assessment, compulsion and chemical dependency, assertiveness, human sexuality, rational living, stress management, and sexual aggression.” (Ackerman 1992)
The research used The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS). The test was administered as a pre- and post-test measure. The test was scored and interpreted by a psychologist on staff at the prison. Fletch completed Human Figure Drawings for both genders. The HFDs were completed as...