Models and Programs for the Intervention with Agressors

Recommended Prerequisites

It is strongly recommended that students have previously done the following subjects: Behavior Modification, Behavioral Models and Cognitive Models, Psychopathology I, Psychopathology II, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies for Personality Disorders. They should also be proficient in English.

Teaching Methods

Lectures, small videos, and role-playing/case presentations. Intervention programs used by the Portuguese Prison and Probation Services will be presented in classes and they will be accessible to students as study material. Students are invited to engage in the simulation of prevention and rehabilitation programs’ sessions (either in individual or group delivery format), followed by a discussion on the contents and efficacy avalilable data.

Learning Outcomes

Goals:

1. To acquire knowledge about the cognitive-behavioral models relevant for understanding the origins and maintenance of anti-social behavior;

2. To be able to apply structured programs and strategies for the prevention and intervention in anti-social behavior;

Competencies:

1. To acquire competencies in assessing the cognitive, behavioral and interpersonal variables related to the origins and maintenance of anti-social behavior;

2. To become familiar with the major anti-social behavior prevention and intervention programs;

3. To recognize the pathology and damage associated with anti-social behavior problems;

4. To be able to apply cognitive-behavioral programs (individually or group delivered) designed to prevent anti-social behavior and/or to intervene with aggressors.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Clinical forensic psychology: legal issues relevant for intervention

2. Definitions and subtypes of anti-social behavior

3. Stability of aggressive behavior, functional impairment and associations with psychiatric diagnoses

4. Individual interventions with young and adult offenders – Cognitive-behavioral assessment, case formulation and intervention plans

5. Prevention programs for anti-social behavior and associated pathologies

6. Intervention programs for sub-types of anti-social behavior (intimate partnership violence, traffic crimes, sexual aggressors; fire setters)

7. Scope and limits of cognitive-behavioral interventions with anti-social individuals: the motivational approach

8. Research on the cognitive-behavioral approach to anti-social behavior

Head Lecturer(s)

Daniel Maria Bugalho Rijo

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Group work on a specific intervention program (4 points; 20%): 20.0%
Two written tests on theorethical contents (8 points each = 16; 80%): 80.0%

Bibliography

Rijo, D., Brazão, N., Ribeiro da Silva, D. & Vagos, P. (2017). Intervenções psicológicas com jovens agressores. PACTOR

 

Brazão, N., da Motta, C. & Rijo, D. (2013). From multimodal programs to a new cognitive-interpersonal approach in the rehabilitation of offenders. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 18, 636-643.

 

Rijo, D., et al. (2007). GERAR PERCURSOS SOCIAIS. Um Programa de Prevenção e Reabilitação Psicossocial para Jovens com Comportamento Desviante. EQUAL

 

J. Davis and C. Nagi (Eds) (2017). Individual psychological therapies in forensic settings: Research and practice. Routledge

 

Collie, R. M., Ward, T., & Gannon, T. A. (2008). Reabilitação dos delinquentes sexuais: o programa das “Vidas Boas”. In A. C. Fonseca (Ed.). Psicologia e Justiça. Almedina. 435-474

 

Rijo, D., Brazão, N., & Capinha, M. (2016). Terapia focada nos esquemas para indivíduos antissociais. In R. Wainer, R. Erdos, K. Paim, R. Andriola (Org.), Integração em psicoterapia: Terapia cognitiva focada em esquemas. Artmed