A framework for post-conviction traumatic stress: preliminary findings from a focus group of men under community supervision for sex offences

Abstract

ABSTRACT The suite of cognitive-emotional symptoms that one experiences while subject to registration and/or community supervision for a sexual offence has recently been conceptualized as Post-Conviction Traumatic Stress (PCTS). In the current study, we present a thematic analysis of transcription data extracted from focus groups with 22 men in treatment for sexual offending. We first describe the main sources of their trauma (e.g. allegation, arrest, court, conviction, jail, prison, parole/probation, and registration). Next, we examine their reported manifestations of symptoms contained in the DSM-5 criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). All the men described at least one symptom, and many endorsed symptoms in all four criteria categories. Commonly described indicators of PCTS included intrusive memories of the arrest; avoidance of certain people, situations, and environmental cues; negative thoughts about themselves and the future; hyperarousal triggered by reminders of arrest or prison; and fear of being re-arrested for a violation of probation or registration. Finally, implications for trauma-informed practice and future research are discussed.