Exploring the factors that contribute to the self-configuration process of juvenile sexual offenders

Abstract

The problem that motivated the study was that the way in which juvenile sex offenders are configuring themselves, and the way that self-development is currently understood, potentially has negative implications for the way they may be treated in therapy. The Gestalt paradigm was the lens through which this phenomenon was explored. The research method was from a qualitative perspective and was an explorative and descriptive analysis of the factors that contribute to this self-configuration. Data was collected by way of unstructured and semi-structured interviews and systematically represented by the emergent themes. Results showed the factors that contribute to the self-configuration of the juvenile sex offender. Recommendations were made to the juveniles, their caretakers and the social workers. The researcher concluded that the Gestalt approach to self-configuration, with its emphasis on the field and relationships, provides a coherent lens through which to approach the phenomenon of juvenile sex offenders.