Social Work Inputs, Change-Inducing Group Mechanisms, and Mutual Aid among Young People with Emotional and Behavioral Problems

ABSTRACT

Current research shows that emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) are amenable to social work support, notably through group work that promotes mutual aid. This kind of intervention has become increasingly crucial in maximizing the contribution of social work and minimizing its cost. Nevertheless, research on youth involvement in such groups remains scarce and the extant findings are mostly drawn from instances of mutual help among adults and older people. They do not give much insight into mutual aid among EBP youth, suggesting there is still a need for research on mutual aid groups among this population. In view of this need, the study reported in this paper examined factors that are conducive to the mutual aid and rehabilitation of young people with EBP in Hong Kong. Of particular concern were the relationships between EBP alleviation and the key factors of social work inputs, change-inducing group mechanisms, and mutual aid. To investigate these issues, the study employed survey data collected from 433 youth participants (aged 12–24) recruited from 60 mutual aid groups in secondary schools, community-based youth service centers, and residential homes located in different districts of Hong Kong. The results support the hypothesis that change-inducing group mechanisms and mutual aid affect EBP. Nonetheless, the results do not support the hypothesized negative relationship between social work inputs and EBP. The implications of the findings for further research and the promotion of mutual aid and rehabilitation among EBP youth are discussed.