Researchers have assessed resilience interventions in many potentially high risk or stressful settings such as the armed forces, business, sport, and academia, but to date little resilience research exists regarding youths who have offended. Further, evidence has suggested these youths are likely to have experienced above average levels of adversity, via potentially high risk or stressful situations such as childhood trauma, school exclusion, high crime neighbourhoods and court appearances. Given that resilience involves successfully overcoming adversity, this concept seems highly relevant to these youths. The current thesis therefore sought to address this research gap.
Following a successful funding application by the first supervisor Dr. Stuart Beattie and Gwynedd / Môn’s Youth Justice Service Manager Mr. Stephen Wood to KESS2 (Knowledge Exchange Skills Scholarship) the current thesis sought to answer the question “Can a tailored psychological resilience intervention reduce recidivism in children and young people who offend”. To answer this question, in Chapter 2 we conducted a systematic review using PRISMA guidelines. Our aim was to assess existing intervention literature related to youths who had offended that targeted resilience. As database searches were unable to identify any studies that targeted resilience interventions in this population or met our inclusion criteria (e.g., involved youths who had offended more than once, contained a control group, measured re-offending), we extended our database searches to include factors empirically linked with resilience (e.g., sense of coherence, self-concept). This systematic review identified just 14 studies worldwide, 7 of which included pre- and post-psychological assessments. However, those studies assessing psychological changes did this post-completion of the programme and did not conduct follow-up assessments. Therefore, it is unknown if the youths had sustained these changes 6 or 12 months later and we cannot therefore conclude whether they contributed to the sustained desistance.
In Chapter 3, we interviewed 12 Youth Justice case workers using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Our aim was to identify successful approaches that included psychological factors associated with desistance and other positive behavioural outcomes such as employment. Consultation between the PhD candidate and first and second thesis supervisors led to the decision to conduct an abductive data analysis, applying principles from both deductive and inductive approaches. ‘Critical friends’ meetings throughout the process enabled a critical stance, further strengthened by our different professional backgrounds. Use of directed content analysis allowed for assessment of the extent to which data agreed or disagreed with existing theoretical frameworks or theories. Thematic analysis then identified six key themes. Theme one involved factors relating to perceived low resilience such as negative self-concept and low comprehension. Theme two pertained to factors relating to perceived resilience which included adaptability and optimism. Themes three and four related to strengths-based individualised approaches and relationship-based working. Theme five outlined psychological changes associated with positive outcomes such as increased awareness and improved self-concept. Theme six related to factors contributing to continued offending which included hopelessness, defiance, and chaotic lives.
Chapter 4 involved developing psychological resilience interventions using findings from Chapters 2 and 3. This was followed by the development and delivery of training for Youth Justice case workers to pilot the interventions. This chapter therefore had two aims; firstly, to increase the confidence of Youth Justice case workers in delivering psychological resilience interventions, and secondly to increase resilience and reduce re-offending in the youths. Both studies used quantitative pre- and post-designs with control and intervention groups. Results showed staff who received the intervention training significantly increased their confidence over and above the control group (p = .000), and youths that then received the interventions significantly increased in resilience compared to their controls; (p = .004) according to staff scores and (p = .012) according to the youths own self-scores.
Overall, the findings of this thesis findings support strengths and resilience-based approaches with an emphasis on positive relationships with YJS staff. Interventions identified to be effective targeted self-efficacy, emotions, and sense of coherence. Improvements noted in the youths relating to resilience-based interventions included improved attachments to individuals and society, reduced defiance, more positive self-concept, and improved life outcomes.