A GT study of engagement with an adolescent sex offender group v.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A grounded theory of engagement with an adolescent sex offender treatment group
IRAS ID
137193
Contact name
Rosanna C Gilderthorp
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology
Research summary
There are significant problems with attrition rates among young people taking part in sex offender treatment. There is some evidence that withdrawing from treatment before completion could increase risk of re-offending.
This study aims to develop a grounded theory of engagement with an adolescent sex offender treatment programme. This will involve answering the following research questions: What psychosocial factors do a sample of young people believe help them to remain in treatment? What do a sample of young people report encourages them to overcome difficulties they face? What are the key moments in the treatment process that a sample of young people view as “make or break”? How do a sample of young people use their support networks and coping strategies to overcome difficulties? Recruitment permitting: How does a young person make the decision to drop out of treatment? The findings from this study should provide some guidance for clinicians seeking to help young people maintain engagement with treatment.
I will use semi-structured interviews with programme participants and facilitators to develop a Grounded Theory. This is an appropriate methodology for this subject area as there is little existing theory to guide research.
Participants will be asked to complete one semi-structured interview (between 30-60 mins duration) with the Chief Investigator. The questions will focus on the research questions above. Interviews will be conducted over ten months.
Participants will be drawn from a community adolescent sex offender programme. Adolescent participants may range in age from 14-21. All will have been convicted of a sexual offence. Some group facilitators who have facilitated this group at least once will also be interviewed. The sample size is likely to be between 12 and 15. In line with the principles of Grounded Theory this will be determined by when theoretical sufficiency is reached and therefore may be increased.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1622
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jan 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion