NCJ Number
48615
Journal
Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology Methods and Therapy Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: (1975) Pages: 11-16
Date Published
1975
Length
6 pages
Annotation
USING CASE MATERIAL, SOME OF THE WAYS IN WHICH GROUP COUNSELING HAS BEEN HELPFUL TO INDIVIDUAL PROBATIONERS IN NEW YORK CITY ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE RATIONALE FOR USING GROUP SESSIONS WITH INDIVIDUAL PROBATIONERS, PARTICULARLY ADOLESCENTS, IS UNDERSCORED THROUGH REFERENCES TO RELEVANT STUDIES. IT IS GENERALLY BELIEVED THAT A GROUP PROVIDES: (1) PEER ADVICE NOT EASILY ACCEPTED FROM AN ADULT AUTHORITY FIGURE, (2) AN ACCEPTANCE AND CONCERN THAT BOLSTERS A SENSE OF SELF-WORTH, (3) A SUPPORTIVE STRENGTH WHEN PERSONAL RESOURCES SEEM INADEQUATE TO MEET A SITUATION, AND (4) A CONTEXT FOR DEVELOPING POSITIVE SOCIAL SKILLS. EACH GROUP IS SUPERVISED BY A PROBATION OFFICER TRAINED IN GROUP SKILLS. THE INTRA- AND EXTRAGROUP EXPERIENCES OF FIVE INDIVIDUALS - ONE GIRL AND FOUR BOYS - ARE DESCRIBED. THE INTERACTION BETWEEN EXPERIENCES IN THE WORLD OUTSIDE THE GROUP AND THE RESOURCES PROVIDED BY THE GROUP DEMONSTRATE THE INFLUENCE OF THE GROUP IN DETERMINING THE OUTCOMES OF THE WAY INDIVIDUAL PROBATIONERS DEAL WITH CRITICAL DECISIONS AND BEHAVIORAL ALTERNATIVES. IN THE CASES DESCRIBED, THE GROUP ACTED TO ADVISE, CHALLENGE, AND SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS TOWARD POSITIVE ADJUSTMENTS IN JOBS, RELATIONSHIPS, AND LAW-ABIDING BEHAVIOR. IT IS BELIEVED THE GROUP CONTEXT PROVIDES AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND AUTHORITATIVE INFLUENCE IMPOSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE IN ONE-TO-ONE COUNSELING WITH A PROFESSIONAL. (RCB)