1997 5-7 Group Counseling with Young Prostitutes

Jeaw-mei Chen Shi-kai Chung Hsiu-ching Chen Men-Jen Lee
National Chengchi University

This study employed cognitive-behavioral group therapy technique to change young prostitute' s self-concept, biased value beliefs and behaviors. 24 young prostitutes in Taipei Municipal Kuangtzu PO Ai Institution were selected. Half of them were randomly assigned to experimental condition, and proceeded 12-week sessions of group counseling. Another half of them were assigned to control condition, and received group counseling after the study was completed. It was found that after group counseling, the participants worried less about money, and showed improvement in different target behaviors. All but three of the experimental group members behaved more positively in daily activities in school. According to the observation records of the group leaders, members' empathy, openness, and initiation increased from session to session, and so were group atmosphere except the 7th session. Members also expressed their liking for group activities and the group leaders, and reported that after the counseling, they understood self and others better than before, and that they could comprehend the ABC concept of rational-emotional therapy and apply it. In addition, they made progress in academic performance. This report concluded with some recommendations about the research itself, the group counseling, and the participants themselves.

Keywords
young prostitute, group counseling, behavioral modification, value belief

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