The core conflictual relationship theme (CCRT) method: testing with adult offenders who have intellectual and developmental disabilities
| Pages | 263-271 |
| Published date | 09 September 2013 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-06-2013-0039 |
| Date | 09 September 2013 |
| Author | Simon Scott Hackett,Jill Porter,John L. Taylor |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities |
The core conflictual relationship theme
(CCRT) method: testing with adult
offenders who have intellectual
and developmental disabilities
Simon Scott Hackett, Jill Porter and John L. Taylor
Dr Simon Scott Hackett is an
Art Psychotherapist, Dr Jill
Porter is a Clinical Psychologist
and Professor John L. Taylor is
a Consultant Clinical
Psychologist, all are based at
Northumberland, Tyne and
Wear NHS Foundation Trust,
Morpeth, Northumberland, UK.
Abstract
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.
Keywords Intellectual disabilities, Developmental disabilities, Sex-offenders,
Core conflictual relationship theme, CCRT, Interpersonal schema
Paper type Research paper
Relationship instability and patterns formed in early attachments are thought to increase the
likelihood of some offenders being more susceptible to pursuing intimacy in maladaptive
ways (Craissati et al., 2002). The reporting of a lack of satisfaction in intimate relationships
has been found in sex offenders and intimacy deficits are one of a range of dynamic variables
employed in risk assessment (Hanson and Harris, 2001). Relationship instability may have
a direct influence upon some risk factors and in some cases has been included in formal risk
assessment. For example, relationship instability is identified as a risk factor for violence in the
HCR-20 (Webster et al., 1997) and the SVR-20 (Boer et al., 1997) identifies relationship
problems as a risk factor for sexual offending behaviour.
Relationship schemas in the core conflictual relationship theme (CCRT) method include a
representation of the self, a representation of the other person, and an interpersonal script that
The authors would like to thank the
service users and staff at Northgate
Hospital Forensic Services for their
contribution to this research.
DOI 10.1108/AMHID-06-2013-0039 VOL. 7 NO. 5 2013, pp. 263-271, CEmeraldGroup Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282
j
ADVANCES IN MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
j
PAGE 263
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