A Preliminary Study on Cognitive–Behavior Interventions for Hong Kong Chinese Delinquent Youth

Abstract

This study evaluated a culturally attuned cognitive-behavior intervention for reducing impulsivity and delinquencyrelated attitudes and behaviors among Chinese delinquent youth in Hong Kong. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was adopted. Twenty participants received CBI, and 20 received routine counseling for a period of 12 months. All participants filled out a standardized questionnaire before the intervention and at 6 and 12 months of intervention. Results: A series of 2  3 analyses of variance were used to examine the Time  Group Effects of the two groups of participants. Results suggested, when compared to the control group, the participants in the experimental group showed greater and continuous positive changes in overall impulsivity, nonplanning impulsivity, cognitive impulsivity, and overall delinquency, with effect sizes showing moderate to large magnitude of change. Conclusion: This culturally attuned CBI program may be a useful inclusion in the outreaching social services for Chinese delinquent youth in Hong Kong.

The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for Chinese people: A meta-analysis

“…In a meta-analysis of 21 studies, Benish et al (2011) found that culturally adapted psychotherapy for ethnic and racial minorities in the United States was more effective than unadapted, conventional psychotherapy. Although a number of recent studies have examined the efficacy of culturally adapted CBT for Chinese clients (Wong, 2008a(Wong, , 2008bWong and Poon, 2010;Wong and Sun, 2006;Wong et al, 2007Wong et al, , 2015Wong et al, , 2016aWong et al, , 2016b, the relative efficacy of culturally adapted CBT versus unadapted CBT for Chinese clients has not yet been investigated.…”

Efficacy of Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavior Intervention for Chinese Delinquent Youth

“…None of them used a low-intensity/BI modality. The five studies that used CBI revealed that delinquent youth in Hong Kong saw significant reductions in overall delinquency, impulsivity (Wong et al, 2018), and aggressive behaviors (Fung et al, 2013) after CBI. In Mainland China, Chen et al (2014) and Zhang and Zhang (2016) found that CBI was effective in reducing overt aggressive behaviors and enhancing social-cognitive information processing skills, social skills, and self-efficacy among Chinese young male offenders.…”

“…Thirdly, despite the fact that CBI could produce positive effects on some risk factors related to delinquency (e.g., impulsivity, anxiety, coping), the impacts of these positive changes on the reductions in delinquency and recidivism are unclear (Kazdin & Nock, 2003). Furthermore, many of the studies did not include a follow-up evaluation (i.e., Chen et al, 2014;Wong et al, 2018), and thus the longer term effects of the CBI could not be determined. Lastly, most of the treatment protocols adopted a behavior-oriented approach and emphasized the development of adaptive coping and social skills (Chen et al, 2014;Zhang & Zhang, 2016).…”

“…Lastly, most of the treatment protocols adopted a behavior-oriented approach and emphasized the development of adaptive coping and social skills (Chen et al, 2014;Zhang & Zhang, 2016). The cognitive and emotional components have been much less in focus (Wong et al, 2018).…”

“…Critics have questioned both the lack of referral to mental health treatments for delinquent youth in the social service system and the lack of community services targeting delinquent behaviors and mental health problems among at-risk youth (Young et al, 2017). Indeed, there is scant evaluation of intervention programs that addressed both mental health issues and delinquent behaviors of Chinese at-risk youth and juvenile delinquents (Wong et al, 2018). Given the sheer size of the youth population in Chinese communities, there is a strong need to develop and evaluate intervention programs that target mental health problems and delinquent behaviors among at-risk youth and juvenile delinquents in Chinese communities.…”