Grys A. M. Methodological approaches to work with socially maladjusted juveniles

The paper describes methodological approaches to work with maladjusted juveniles used in modern psychological practice. Necessity of their examination from scientific and practical points of view was justified.

Potentials and limitations of traditional psychotherapeutic approaches to work with socially maladjusted juveniles were revealed in terms of their assessment by different authors: cognitive-behavioural approach, emotional stress psychotherapy, inward-oriented programs, which are currently the most widely applied at work with the specified group.

The sequence was defined for usage of the most effective methodological approaches based on practicing psychologists’ experience of work with socially maladjusted juveniles: visual and narrative, associative, process-oriented approaches. They allow a psychologist to objectify and make clear destructive materials from the client’s unconscious psyche sphere. Namely these approaches help a psychologist to identify those internal mechanisms that underlie deviant behaviour of juveniles, the mechanisms that maintain tension and existence of problems which become the target of psychotherapeutic influence after their conscious understanding.

The paper also presents briefly the       focal points of researchers in this area concerning necessity to pay attention to certain personal formations of juveniles that become causes of deviations. These include: behavioural responses, values, the semantic field and a self-image, which is a global phenomenon that determines personal behaviour in social and cultural environment.