REDUCING AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR IN THE INSTITUTIONAL SETTING THROUGH PSYCHODRAMA

Abstract

One of the major problems faced by correctional counselors in the care and treatment of juvenile offenders in the institutional setting is that of the aggressive, assaultive ward. He presents unique difficulties in terms of control and adaptability, especially in the group living situation. As his behavior directly affects the behavior of his peers, his negative acting out exerts undue pressures upon the group as a whole. One actively aggressive ward introduced into a relatively placid group can and will create reactions and counter reactions on the part of both peers and counseling staff alike. In any institutional setting, especially one geared to the treatment of delinquent youth, the overly aggressive ward is to be expected, however unwelcome his presence may be. The problem has been to channel the aggressive behavior into acceptable behavior with the least amount of trauma, both physical and mental, towards the ward or towards his peers. Too often a ward exhibiting this type of behavior becomes involved in physical confrontations, assaults, and disruptive agitative actions before he has become fully integrated into his program. Normally this necessitates his removal from the group setting. However desirable the removal of a problem ward may be in terms of the group such action invariably creates discontinuity in the aggressive ward's treatment. In essence the problem is arbitrarily disposed of rather than confronted. "Pass the problem on to someone else" appears to be the general rule in dealing initially with this type of behavior. Threats of retaliatory or punitive action by staff or peers are generally ineffective at this juncture as such promises serve only to reinforce the testing mechanism, usually precipitating immediate and continued acting out.