Knowing right from wrong is not enough: Trauma linked to fragmented adolescent conscience
What does it mean when a young person seems to know the difference between right and wrong but still repeatedly crosses the line? For professionals working with adolescents who display problematic or transgressive behavior, such contradictions can be difficult to understand and assess. New research from the University of Amsterdam suggests that one reason may be that conscience is not a single,…
Understanding the difference between right and wrong is essential, yet not the sole factor in adolescent behavior. Research from the University of Amsterdam suggests that conscience is not a fixed trait but a dynamic system requiring several psychological abilities to function together. Dr. Julia Tiemersma, a psychologist, is developing a tool to help professionals assess this complex system.
The Clinical Assessment of Conscience (CAC) evaluates components such as empathy, self-conscious emotions, and moral reasoning. It provides a detailed picture of how these elements work together rather than just a simple score. Greater trauma severity in clinically referred adolescents was linked to weaker integration between these conscience components.
Emotional neglect had the strongest association, followed by emotional and sexual abuse. This fragmentation doesn't indicate the absence of empathy, guilt, or moral understanding, but rather an ineffective integration of these abilities. The research emphasizes the need for treatment that focuses on integrating these components rather than merely addressing individual deficits.
By understanding the specific areas where a young person's conscience is struggling, interventions can be more precisely tailored, potentially reducing the risk of delinquent behavior.
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