The Counseling Relationship From the perspective of Juvenile Offenders: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2009-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to provide an in-depth description of the counseling
relationship from the vantage point of juvenile offenders. Accordingly, six institutionalized
juvenile offenders rving time in Addis Ababa Remand and Rehabilitation Home
participated in the study, onsistent with phenomenological methodology, each participant
\Va th roughly inter iewed and provided detailed description of the phenomenon of th
coun eling relation hip, The main research question was: What are juvenile offenders
perceptions of the coun eling relationship? Stemming from this, the major sub-questions
which \\'ere explored are: (a) what preconceptions about the relationship have the juvenile
offenders held prior thei r engagement in counseli ng? , (b) what are juvenile offenders'
experiences in their counseling relationships? (c) what aspects of the relationship are
meaningful for the juvenile offenders? (d) what thoughts and feelings have the juvenile
offenders attached \\ ith the counsel ing relationship'?, (e) How does the counseling
relationship contribute to improvements inju enile offenders' behaviors?, and (I) I 10\\ ha\ ~
the ju\'enilc offe nders perceived their relationship with the counselor as it progre ed frol11
lirst se~sion to the la st session? onsequently se\'en core themes were identified a the
s cnces that constituted participants' perceptions of the phenomenon of the counseling
relationship: Preconceptions; first sessions; process; counselor's approach; benetit : client's
'elf disclo ure' and end of the counseling relationship, Moreover, under these theme.
composite textural-stru ctural description of participants experiences were forwarded to
pro\'ide a holistic picture of their perception of the phenomenon, Findings of the study shaded
light 011 the counseling. relationship and its importance in correctional settings, Implication:
fur concerned bodies are also discussed
Description
Keywords
Education