A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY: THE EFFECTS OF INSTITUTIONALISATION ON INDIVIDUAL WELL BEING AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS OF BEYOND PARENTAL CONTROL JUVENILES

Abstract

In the words of a participant, "BPC tells the kid that he is wrong; so throw him inside hostel to solve the issue". Although there is academic consensus that institutionalisation of juvenile delinquents is problematic, literature is largely silent on its effects on pre(delinquents). Scholars however, suggest that isolation and labelling of `uncontrollable' young persons, who have often committed no crime, is counter-productive in correcting deviant behaviour. In Singapore, such cases are intervened under the Beyond Parental Control (BPC) Order, which has seen a spike in cases over the past decade. If the abovementioned position proves right, then this trend is worrying. This phenomenological study aims to provide insights to the institutionalisation experiences of BPC juveniles. In doing so, it uncovers the challenges faced and coping strategies utilized. Guided by Labelling Theory, Strengths' Perspective, and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, this study unpacks these experiences to investigate its effects on the individual's psychoemotional wellbeing and parent-child relationships. Qualitative interviews were conducted with seven participants who were institutionalised under the BPC Order, and subsequently analyzed and grouped into themes through thematic analysis. It was found that a slew of negative emotions persisted throughout the BPC process leading up to institutionalisation. During institutionalisation, BPC juveniles harvested coping strategies ranging from self to environment, to manage challenges. Challenging the Labelling Theory and literature, is the key finding that institutionalisation had positive effects on the psychoemotional wellbeing of juveniles. This was attributed to the value of therapeutic client-worker relationship as a coping strategy, which empowered BPC juveniles. Institutionalisation however, caused further strain in parent-child relationships. This perpetuation of strain could be ascribed to the absence of family intervention during institutionalisation, highlighting the lack of an ecological perspective towards intervention for BPC juveniles. Findings from this study bears implications for practice and policy for the BPC population.