Forensic psychology 11 Psychology Essay Research Paper

Juvenile Delinquency and its Treatment
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S.W. Henggeler’s Model of Multi-Systemic Therapy
The efficacy of Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) has been proven throughout the years of application. The positive responses from the youth were taken from those who underwent the therapy. The results reflected from the many beneficiaries of the comprehensive manual, that guides practitioners in providing clinical assessment and intervention with the delinquent youth and their families. (Henggeler, 2009). The application of the treatment greatly targets the youth that is diagnosed with antisocial behavior. The disorder can be said to be caused by the leading and contributing factors to juvenile delinquency namely, violence at home, violence at social circles or community, low school standards, peer pressure, socioeconomic factors, and lack of moral guidance. These delinquent youth, in turn, resort to being drug and alcohol dependent, sexual offenders to suicidal youths presenting psychiatric needs and emergencies. Consequently, the need to receive treatment of Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST).
The role of psychologists has been a first step approach to targeting the root causes and specify the approach to take. But for the progress to continue, the work does not end on the psychologists alone. The help of the family members and the people around them are also key factors to complete healing and recovery. Determining the treatment strategy to be used vary from patient to patient. It is not a one size fits all kind of situation. A thorough examination and diagnosis must take place to fully identify the approach to take. The key areas to be evaluated to assess delinquent, including an individual, family, community, and peers. Identifying these areas will reveal more details into consideration. Like how a delinquent copes with his/her problems personality-wise. Additionally, how well the parents resolve family issues or conflicts whenever they arise. Peer relationships are also one of the best indicators of delinquent behavior as it should be included in the assessment. One reason is that sometimes an individual acts differently depending on whose group they are with, it may be in a family, friends, classrooms, or neighbors. Lastly, community factors such as support systems or people around that can contribute to the existing concerns. As they are the people revolving around the child.
Effective treatment for juvenile delinquents has always been a challenge. But through years of study, a series of programs have been empirically validated to be useful for the prevention and treatment of delinquent behavior. Series of the program have been established during the past decades of study and development. Pro...