Ms Sarah-Louise Tkaczyk, Dr Bruce Watt1, Dr Douglas Angus
1Bond University, Robina, Australia
Biography:
Dr Bruce Watt is a Forensic Psychologist, employed as an Associate Professor with Bond University. He has worked in various capacities at Bond University, including Head of School Psychology, Program Director (Forensic), and Clinic Director. In research, Dr Watt has investigated family interventions for antisocial youth; juvenile violent recidivism; attachment and therapeutic alliance; community correlates of violence and psychopathy; animal cruelty and firesetting; fitness for trial; and juvenile threats of harm to others. Within private practice, Dr Watt completes forensic psychological evaluations for Childrens Court, the Federal Circuit and Family Law Court, Criminal Court, Child Safety, and other jurisdictions.
Disrupted attachment is a frequent predisposing factor among offending youth, though limited research has investigated the impact of such ruptures on therapeutic engagement. The current study examined the role of attachment disruption on reoffending, compliance with youth justice orders, and therapeutic alliance among adjudicated young people in Queensland (N = 445). Regression models tested the predictive effects for attachment disruption on alliance, recidivism, and non-compliance while controlling for age, sex, Indigenous status, and child protection history. High rates of attachment disruption were found, particularly for child protection youth residing in residential care. Elevated rates of recidivism and noncompliance was found for young people with more attachment disruptions, though attachment was not a statistically significant predictor for time to reoffend and noncompliance. The establishment of a therapeutic alliance with youth justice workers was protective associated with lower rates of recidivism and greater compliance with orders. Attachment disruption, however, did not predict therapeutic alliance. The findings highlight the relevance for attachment and therapeutic engagement for youth justice practice.