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Perceptions of support-seeking in young people attending a Youth Offending Team: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

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Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry

Published online on

Abstract

High levels of mental health problems have been identified in young people who have offended (committed/been convicted of a criminal offence). However, as with many young people, they tend not to seek support for their difficulties. This research aimed to explore support-seeking in this population by asking ‘What are the perceptions of support-seeking in young people attending a Youth Offending Team?’ Semi-structured interviews were carried out with six males (aged 13–18) and the transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four master themes were revealed: Youth Offending Team attendance prompting reflection, Damaged self, Complexity of relationships and Internal conflicts. Generally participants perceived support-seeking as beneficial, but various barriers meant that they did not tend to view it as a viable coping strategy for themselves. Interventions aimed at addressing these barriers may help young people who have offended to seek support.