Using Theory to Understand the Barriers to Engagement in Group Offending Behavior Programs

Emma Holdsworth; Erica Bowen; Sarah Brown; Douglas Howat

doi:10.1177/0306624X18812040

Using Theory to Understand the Barriers to Engagement in Group Offending Behavior Programs

Emma Holdsworth
, Erica Bowen
, Sarah Brown
, Douglas Howat

University of Worcester

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

761 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Noncompletion of group offending behavior programs is a common problem, indicating barriers to engagement. While existing theoretical models have accounted for determinants of motivation, little focus has been directed towards
barriers to engagement. The authors developed the program engagement theory (PET) which not only accounts for the determinants of engagement and the engagement process, it also considers the barriers to engagement. Interviews and session observations were used to collect data from 23 program facilitators and 28 offenders, which were analyzed using grounded theory. The barriers to engagement were classified as program and referral factors (uninformative referrals, offensefocused programs, rigid and abstract content, didactic delivery, and homework), facilitator characteristics (lack of control: contentious and nonassertive), and group member characteristics (unmotivated, pre-contemplative, and blaming others and young, chaotic, and disruptive). Suggestions as to the design and facilitation of group offending behavior programs, and facilitator training and supervision to overcome barriers to engagement are proposed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	993-1017
Number of pages	25
Journal	International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology
Volume	63
Issue number	7
Early online date	12 Nov 2018
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X18812040
Publication status	Published - 1 May 2019

Bibliographical note

Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author(s) and/ or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.

Keywords

barriers
engagement
facilitator
offender
programs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
Applied Psychology

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Cite this

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abstract = "Noncompletion of group offending behavior programs is a common problem, indicating barriers to engagement. While existing theoretical models have accounted for determinants of motivation, little focus has been directed towards barriers to engagement. The authors developed the program engagement theory (PET) which not only accounts for the determinants of engagement and the engagement process, it also considers the barriers to engagement. Interviews and session observations were used to collect data from 23 program facilitators and 28 offenders, which were analyzed using grounded theory. The barriers to engagement were classified as program and referral factors (uninformative referrals, offensefocused programs, rigid and abstract content, didactic delivery, and homework), facilitator characteristics (lack of control: contentious and nonassertive), and group member characteristics (unmotivated, pre-contemplative, and blaming others and young, chaotic, and disruptive). Suggestions as to the design and facilitation of group offending behavior programs, and facilitator training and supervision to overcome barriers to engagement are proposed.",

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Using Theory to Understand the Barriers to Engagement in Group Offending Behavior Programs

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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