NCJ Number
121846
Journal
Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology Methods and Therapy Volume: 35 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1989) Pages: 8-11
Date Published
1989
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Group psychotherapy carefully planned and using action-oriented techniques can produce enhanced social adjustment, improved communication skills, and increased ability to deal with feelings in juvenile offenders.
Abstract
Sixteen youths, ages 15-17, participated in the group at the Youth Center at Topeka (Kansas). Participants had been committed to the center for theft, burglary, vandalism, battery, aggravated assault, or a combination of these offenses. From the therapists' perspective, the youths made significant gains. Among the most important were the ability to recognize and communicate feelings, handle conflicts, and accept authority. Therapists attributed these gains in large part to the variety of therapeutic modes and techniques available to group members. These included not only group, individual, and family formats, but also psychodrama, group games, and role rehearsal. There was an advantage for each youth in having a therapist familiar with her/his case who could work with him in all these formats. The therapists profited from the clinical assessment that emerged through observation and discussion with the other therapists. 6 references.