ADVANTAGES OF GROUP THERAPY IN RELATION TO INDIVIDUAL THERAPY FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENTS (FROM BASIC READINGS IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, 1976 BY CLYDE V MARTIN - SEE NCJ-46337)

• NCJ Number: 46339
• Author(s): J N YONG
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Martin Psychiatric Research Foundation, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE ADVANTAGES OF GROUP THERAPY FOR ADOLESCENTS, ESPECIALLY IN INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS, ARE LISTED AND REASONS FOR THESE ADVANTAGES DISCUSSED.

Abstract

IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, GROUP THERAPY HAS BECOME AN ACCEPTED FORM OF TREATMENT BECAUSE OF LACK OF STAFF AND MONEY. HOWEVER, EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT THIS TECHNIQUE IS ESPECIALLY VALUABLE WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS BECAUSE JUVENILE DELINQUENTS ARE, BY AND LARGE, SUSPICIOUS OF AUTHORITY FIGURES AND OFTEN ARE UNCOOPERATIVE IN INDIVIDUAL THERAPY SITUATIONS. ALSO, MOST SUCH YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ACTION ORIENTED, NOR VERBALLY ORIENTED. IN THE GROUP SITUATION, NO ONE MEMBER HAS TO CARRY THE ENTIRE BURDEN OF INTERACTION AND, NONVERBAL YOUNGSTERS CAN PARTICIPATE EFFECTIVELY BY LISTENING AND JOINING IN WITH FACIAL EXPRESSIONS OR SINGLE-WORD COMMENTS. JUVENILES ARE ALSO QUITE GOOD AT MANIPULATING OTHERS AND, IN A ONE-TO-ONE SITUATION, THE THERAPIST COULD QUITE EASILY BECOME THE VICTIM OF THIS. SUCH MANIPULATION HAS PROVEN HARDER TO ACCOMPLISH IN A GROUP WHERE THE JEALOUSY OR CANDOR OF OTHER MEMBERS HOLDS SUCH BEHAVIOR IN LINE. MANY JUVENILE DELINQUENTS HAVE POOR ABSTRACT REASONING ABILITY. A GROUP HELPS SOLVE PROBLEMS AND CAN COME UP WITH APPROPRIATE SOLUTIONS MORE EASILY THAN AN INDIVIDUAL CAN. THE GROUP SITUATION ALSO GIVES SANCTION TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS DEVELOPED AS POSSIBLE ANSWERS TO A PROBLEM. SINCE MANY JUVENILE DELINQUENTS THINK IT IS 'SISSY' TO SEEK HELP, THEY MAY RESIST INDIVIDUAL THERAPY. ATTENDING A GROUP MEETING IN WHICH THE THERAPIST IS SEEN AS A MODERATOR REMOVES THIS BARRIER. ALSO, MANY JUVENILE DELINQUENTS HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO A GREAT DEAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL INSTABILITY DURING THEIR EARLY YEARS. THUS, THEY ARE AFRAID OF A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH A THERAPIST AND OFTEN WILL ACT TO TERMINATE THE RELATIONSHIP, DESTROYING THE THERAPY SITUATION. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT SO GREAT IN GROUP SITUATIONS. THE BOYS OFTEN HAVE POOR FATHER FIGURES, AND AN INDIVIDUAL SITUATION WITH A MALE THERAPIST CAN AROUSE MANY UNPLEASANT ASSOCIATIONS WHICH WOULD HINDER THE THERAPY. JUVENILE DELINQUENTS ARE SO OFTEN STREET-GANG-ORIENTED THAT A GROUP IS OFTEN THE ONLY EFFECTIVE WAY TO REACH THEM. THEY ALSO ARE OFTEN SO INSECURE, INADEQUATE, OR DEPRESSED THAT THE GROUP IS THEIR ONLY COMFORT. GROUP THERAPY PROVIDES UNUSUAL OPPORTUNITY TO WORK THROUGH PREJUDICES, PROBLEMS, AND BEHAVIORAL DIFFICULTIES IN A REINFORCING SITUATION WHICH PROVIDES A BETTER CLIMATE FOR LASTING CHANGE. THESE ADVANTAGES MAY ALSO BE PRESENT IN ADULT GROUPS. (GLR)