Quasi-Experimental Study Comparing CBT, MBCT, Activity-Based Supportive Counselling for Hong Kong Delinquent Youth

Daniel Fu Keung Wong*, Yves Cho Ho Cheung, Yu-Te Huang, Cherry Hau Lin Tam, Wilson Man Ho Chan, Kenneth Kin Wa Yeung

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study compared Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Activity-based Supportive Counselling (treatment-as-usual; TAU) for reducing delinquency, psychological risk factors, mental health symptoms, and improving the quality of life among at-risk youths in Hong Kong outreaching social services. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, non-custodial youths with delinquency and mental health issues underwent eight sessions of CBT (n = 24), MBCT (n = 30), or TAU (n = 61). Results: Dependent-sample t-test showed CBT reduced mental health symptoms and delinquency. TAU reduced mental health symptoms and improved quality of life. MBCT resulted in no significant change. Time x group ANCOVA underscored TAU in improving quality of life. Hierarchical linear regression showed decreases in delinquency and mental health symptoms mediated by decreases in psychological risk factors. Discussion: Results suggest that outreaching social service agencies in Hong Kong could enhance their intervention by augmenting the sports and leisure activities of TAU with structured CBT programs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)567-582
Number of pages16
JournalResearch on Social Work Practice
Volume32
Issue number5
Early online date1 Mar 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2022

User-Defined Keywords

  • cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • mindfulness
  • outreaching social work
  • youth delinquency
  • youth mental health

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