The impact of solution-focused brief therapy on young youth offenders

Date
2003-12
Authors
Stander, Ingrid
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABTSRACT: The aim of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in a South African Youth Centre for young offenders, to which the court had sentenced them for two years. The study focused on the competencies and strengths of youth offenders, as well as on their capacity to find solutions to their problems, whilst being realistic and trying to accomplish positive change within the limits of the youth centre facility. An experimental and control group design was used in order to assess the impact of the therapeutic intervention. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated within three main domains of human experience: (1) subjective discomfort, (2) interpersonal relationships, and (3) social role performance. Two measures were used, namely the OQ-45.2 (outcome questionnaire) and unstandardised scaling questions relating to participants' personalised goals. Results show that no statistically significant improvement had occurred on the three measured dimensions. However, data obtained from the scaling questions reflected a more complete picture of the three areas of functioning identified and explored in this study. Improvement towards the achievement of young offenders' personalised goals seemed to be rapid at first, followed by a slightly slower rate of improvement and subsequent stabilisation. Scaling questions proved to be a useful technique for making complex aspects of these young offenders' lives more concrete and accessible to both the therapist and themselves. SFBT proved to be an effective method of intervention within group format in a facility for young offenders.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die navorsingsprojek was om die effektiwiteit van Oplossingsgerigte Terapie binne 'n Suid-Afrikaanse jeugsentrum vir jong oortreders, waartoe hulle vir twee jaar deur die hof gevonnis is, te evalueer. Hierdie studie se fokus was op die bevoegdhede en sterk punte van jeugdige oortreders, sowel as op hul vermoe om oplossings vir hul probleme te vind. Hierdie oogmerk was terselftertyd realisties in die poging om positiewe verandering binne die beperkinge van 'n jeugsentrum teweeg te bring. 'n Eksperimentele en kontrolegroepontwerp is gebruik om die impak van die terapeutiese intervensie te evalueer. Die effektiwiteit van die ingreep is ten opsigte van drie hoof areas wat verwant is aan menslike ervarings geevalueer: (1) subjektiewe ongemak, (2) interpersoonlike verhoudings, en (3) sosiale rolvervulling. Twee meetinstrumente is gebruik, naamlik die UV-45.2 (uitkomste vraelys) en ongestandaardiseerde skaleringsvrae wat verwant was aan deelnemers se persoonlike doelstellings. Resultate het getoon dat geen beduidende statistiese verbetering in die drie dimensies plaasgevind het nie. Data wat egter deur die stel van skaleringsvrae ingewin is, het 'n meer volledige beeld van die drie areas van funksionering wat in die studie geYdentifiseer en verken is, gereflekteer. Dit blyk dat die verbetering in die jong oortreders se persoonlike doelstellings aanvanklik vinnig geskied het, en gevolg is deur 'n effense stadiger tempo van verbetering en stabilisering. Volgens die navorsingstudie blyk dit dat skaleringsvrae 'n baie suksesvolle tegniek kan wees om komplekse aspekte van hierdie jong oortreders se lewens vir beide die terapeut en hulself meer konkreet en meer bereikbaar te maak. Dit blyk ook dat Oplossingsgerigte Terapie 'n effektiewe intervensiemetode binne groepformaat in 'n inrigting vir jong oortreders is.
Description
Thesis (MA) -- Stellenbosch University, 2003.
Keywords
Solution-focused brief therapy, Solution-focused therapy, Juvenile delinquents -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa, Dissertations -- Psychology, Theses -- Psychology
Citation