Clinical assessment of adolescents involved in Satanism.
Satanism is a destructive religion that promises power, dominance, and gratification to its practitioners. Unfortunately, some adolescents are seduced by these promises, often because they feel alienated, alone, angry, and desperate. This article explores the psychosocial needs of adolescents that are often met by participation in Satanic worship. Gratification of these needs, when met, may make leaving the cult a difficult and lengthy process. Included is a method for determining the adolescents' level of involvement and an assessment strategy for the therapeutic evaluation process. A brief overview of clinical intervention is also discussed.
Clark
C M
CM
Residential Psychiatric Adolescent Services, CPC Intermountain Hospital of Boise, Idaho 83704.
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D006801:Humans; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology