Young People’s Perceptions of a Group Home’s Efficacy: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

There are many young people from troubled backgrounds today in residential treatment care facilities. However, the majority of the residential care facilities do not offer the type of services required to have the desired impact on young people. In an attempt to contribute to this gap this study used a qualitative methodology to explore the retrospective experiences of youths who attended a faith-based residential treatment facility in the southern region of the United States. Findings suggest that program atmosphere, staff, punishment practices, counseling, spiritual development, and re-entry issues are important elements of the efficacy of residential care facilities.

KEYWORDS:

• group homes
• young people
• program atmosphere
• punishment practices
• counseling
• spiritual development