Use of a reference group in researching children’s views of psychotherapy in Malta

Abstract

This paper explores the process and outcomes of a children's reference group within the context of child psychotherapy research in out of home, residential care. The reference group was setup to consult children about the design of a research project which seeks to evoke, represent and understand children's views of psychotherapy. No work to date has explored the experience of reference groups in the context of child psychotherapy in residential out of home care in Malta. The paper contextualises the research within the literature on reference groups in child research, which identifies the potential of reference groups as a participative and co-reflexive activity which can inform research design. The paper critically examines the nature and conduct of the reference group by acknowledging the specific context of this work rather than essentialising it as a given 'good'. It does so by specifying and evaluating the outcomes of the reference group in line with its aims. The paper draws on the recordings of the reference group meetings and reference group field notes taken by the researcher as key data which were thematically analysed. The main outcomes of the reference group include children's contribution to the design of data collection methods especially in terms of not relying only on words during data collection. Children also identified key ethical issues from the point of view of young psychotherapy service users, especially in relation to issues of 2 trust within an out of home care context. Children also reviewed and appraised research information material.

Investigando el bienestar de los niños y niñas migrantes

“…The limited literature identifies the potential of Children's Research Advisory Groups (CRAG) as a collaborative and co-reflexive activity that can inform research design (Horgan & Martin, 2021;Mercieca & Jones, 2018;Moore et al, 2018). Some of the research studies presented in this Special Issue demonstrate their value in testing interview questions, validating workshop methodologies, etc.…”