Development of REBT-based Police Guidance Program for Juvenile Delinquents

Currently, the police guidance program for juvenile delinquents has not been specific and implemented, and it has not been verified that it is effective in preventing juvenile delinquency again. The purpose of this study is to develop a police guidance program based on the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and verify its effectiveness in order to standardize a substantial guidance program at the police level. Through previous studies, representative emotional factors affecting juvenile delinquency were depression and anxiety, and self-esteem was functioning as a protective factor that could lower delinquency. A 3-day, 10-hour police guidance program was constructed that applied cognitive, emotional, and behavioral techniques of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. The subjects of the study were 18 juvenile delinquents criminally reported to N Police Station, and the same number of researchers conducted personal counseling, group activities, and group counseling, and pre-, post-, and follow-up examination on depression, anxiety, and self-esteem measures. As a result of the study, depression and anxiety significantly decreased in the post-, and follow-up examination, and self-esteem significantly improved only in the post-examination. This suggests that juvenile delinquents' efforts to convert irrational beliefs into rational beliefs can affect depression, anxiety, and self-esteem and prevent juvenile delinquency. Through follow-up research, it is suggested that the person in charge can easily and comfortably proceed with this program and that juvenile delinquents can participate safely.