NCJ Number
179880
Journal
Journal of Addictions and Offender Counseling Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: October 1999 Pages: 2-14
Date Published
1999
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This review of moral dilemma discussion groups, just communities, positive peer culture, and the EQUIP program focuses on the appropriateness of these programs for intervening with juvenile offenders in residential settings and for use in diverse populations.
Abstract
Moral discussion groups involve a discussion of a moral dilemma that has no clearly correct solution. These groups aim to reduce egocentric thinking and behavior by substituting more altruistic and cooperative behaviors. A just community is a democratic approach to moral development that seeks to raise the stage of moral reasoning of participants and to change the moral atmosphere of the institution. Positive peer cultural groups aim to change members' attitudes, values, and self concepts to replace a negative environment with a positive one. Peers confront youths who come to treatment blaming others for their problems. The EQUIP program combines elements of positive peer culture, moral discussion groups, and activities addressing social skill development. These approaches all recognize the importance of peer influences on behavior. Moral discussion groups are probably the easiest to implement and are useful for youths who have some social and problem-solving skills. Facility staff should implement these groups before implementing a just community. Just communities and positive peer culture groups are easier to implement in settings such as a single dorm or a group home due to the limited number of people. Further research should focus on the effectiveness of the interventions, the specific impact of each approach, the relationship between moral development and stages of change, and the use of the strategies with diverse groups. Appended outline of levels and stages of moral reasoning and 63 references