1. Relational security: conceptualization and operationalization in small-scale, strengths-based, community-embedded youth justice facilities.
- Author
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Souverein, Fleur, Mulder, Eva, van Domburgh, Lieke, and Popma, Arne
- Subjects
PARENT attitudes ,THOUGHT & thinking ,ADOLESCENT development ,SOCIAL support ,RESEARCH methodology ,ATTITUDES of medical personnel ,MOTIVATION (Psychology) ,SELF-perception ,COMMUNITY health services ,MEDICAL personnel ,INTERVIEWING ,ECOLOGY ,SECURITY systems ,PATIENTS' families ,QUALITATIVE research ,PATIENTS' attitudes ,HUMANITY ,RESPONSIBILITY ,SELF-efficacy ,PRE-tests & post-tests ,RESIDENTIAL care ,ACTION research ,RESEARCH funding ,THEORY ,INTERPROFESSIONAL relations ,INTERPERSONAL relations ,PATIENT-professional relations ,JUDGMENT sampling ,STATISTICAL sampling ,DATA analysis software ,DATA analysis ,PATIENT safety ,THERAPEUTIC alliance ,CONCEPTS ,CRIMINAL justice system ,REFLECTION (Philosophy) - Abstract
Background: Given the developmental vulnerability of justice-involved youth, providing a safe environment in secure facilities is a paramount, yet challenging task. Within this complexity, a sound security framework is key. The security framework exists on three dimensions: physical, procedural and relational security. Existing knowledge points at the importance of a shift in focus on physical and procedural security towards relational security as the core of the security framework. At the same time there is a dearth of knowledge on relational security, particularly in the context of youth justice. This paper explores relational security and its working mechanisms in practice. Methods: This paper draws on findings of a comprehensive three-year evaluation of three small-scale, community-embedded facilities that are grounded in relational security. The approach of the evaluation was derived from action research, involving a cyclic process alternating between action, research and critical reflection, while engaging all stakeholders in the research process. The action research cycle involved qualitative research (a total of 63 semi-structured interviews) incorporating the perspective of staff, youth and parents. Results: Relational security is grounded in three distinct, but interrelated, elements – staff's basic attitude, a constructive alliance between staff and youth, staff presence – and promotes a safe and therapeutic environment through several mechanisms. Conclusions: Relational security can be defined in a practical conceptualization; outlining a way of working that guides staff in how to establish a safe and therapeutic environment in secure facilities. This conceptualization finds support in the well-established literature covering the therapeutic alliance and can be substantiated by two aligning theories concerning youth justice strategies: social-ecological theory and self-determination theory. Relational security is not only a way of working, but also a way of being. It encompasses a vision about security and mentality towards justice-involved youth that sees them not merely as 'risks to be managed', but primarly as 'resources to be developed'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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