Themes of Development of Youth With Emotional and Behavioral Disturbances

• In Event: Focus on Behavior: Interventions, Connections, and Outcomes

Abstract

This study explored the meaning-making and decision-making strategies of 25 youth identified with emotional and behavioral disorders. The participants resided in group homes, juvenile justice facilities, and foster homes. Most of them had experienced physical or sexual abuse, or neglect from their family of origin. The data was collected through interviews, behavioral measures, and field observations. The study spanned an 18-month period. The grounded theory approach was utilized to analyze the participants data. The participants described their lives in terms of loss, trust, relationships, maltreatment, acting out and aggression, control and decision-making, safety and self-protection, emotionality, time, and reflection. The results from this research present the participants' need for consistent relationships and services directed at their individual needs.

Author

• John L. Rausch, John Carroll University