Community resocialization via instillation of family values through a novel group therapy approach: A pilot study.

Abstract

Set within a fragmented community, The Family: People Helping People (Family) project is a group therapy model that aims to facilitate cultural resocialization through personal transformation. The Family models a nuclear family, and uses a novel, open discussion approach to address various psychosocial issues within the context of the Bahamian society. A pilot study investigated changes in disenfranchised individuals who participated in The Family over a 6-month period, and revealed some significant changes in emotional and behavioral trends after treatment. Statistical analysis of the pilot study showed significant decreases in feelings of depression, suicidality, anger and vengefulness, and increases in significant feelings of self-esteem and intimacy with others. Negative behaviors, such as illegal activity and participation in abusive relationships, decreased, while the quality of family relationships and benevolence increased. Gratitude and forgiveness were recurring themes expressed by participants in the study, suggesting their key role in resocialization. This Family group therapy model may be applicable to different populations, and may be a useful tool in fostering community resocialization.

An Instrument for Assessment of Longitudinal Community Resocialization Through a Group Process Intervention

“…Example topics include anger management, and practical information on issues such as HIV/AIDS, insurance, legal issues, and social support. The prevalence of social fragmentation in the community is represented by the high incidence of the first five themes [5]. Anger leads to violence, which always involves loss and grief.…”

“…Although multiple questionnaires were used to analyze The Family in the pilot study [5], there was a need to pinpoint the extent to which participants were resocialized following psychotherapy in The Family. This necessitated a more exact definition of resocialization, as well as the development and validation of a new evaluation instrument to measure it.…”

“…A pilot study of The Family investigated changes in disenfranchised individuals who participated in The Family over a 6-month period, and revealed some notable changes in emotional and behavioral trends after treatment [5]. Changes included statistically significant decreases in feelings of depression, suicidality, anger and vengefulness, and significant increases in feelings of self-esteem and intimacy with others.…”

“…Moreover, The Family offers a separate space and encourages the expression of emotions that are normally rarely openly expressed (such as grief, empathy, love, and hope). The goal of the group process is to improve socialization despite high rates of crime, family disintegration, and economic impoverishment, with the hope of eventually re-shaping the Bahamian society by reaching as many people as possible [2,5,7].…”

“…"The Family: People Helping People Project" is a group-based resocialization intervention designed to improve the resulting family and community fragmentation, and is based on the contemplative discovery pathway theory (CDPT). CDPT employs a unique approach to psychotherapy, framing therapy in the context of the community instead of more common institutionalized approaches to resocialization [4,5].…”