Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
Criminal Justice and Criminology
Date of Award
8-2011
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Larry S. Miller
Committee Members
John T. Whitehead, Michael C. Braswell, Nicole Prior
Abstract
Effective intervention programs play a fundamental role in reducing rates of juvenile delinquency. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that is strongly supported by research (ACT, 2010). Moral Kombat (MK) is an intervention that combines character-building and CBT concepts in programs for at-risk and delinquent juveniles with the goal to change their belief systems, thus improving their behaviors (Marchant, 2009). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the extent to which MK incorporates the principles identified in the literature as necessary for a CBT program to be successful. The occurrences of the 11 CBT principles identified in the literature found in the MK participant manuals were counted. MK appears to be a structurally sound program that has the potential to help participants but includes barriers to success such as resistance due to compelled attendance, social factors, costs, and inability to meet participant-specific therapy needs.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
McGowan, Thelma Deneen, "Identifying Interventions That Work in Juvenile Justice: An Analysis of the Moral Kombat Program." (2011). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1341. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1341
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.