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Utilising a computer game as a therapeutic intervention for youth in residential care: Some preliminary findings on use and acceptability

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  • Aventin, Áine
  • Houston, Stan
  • Macdonald, Geraldine

Abstract

Mental illness is common amongst young people living in residential care, many of whom are reluctant to avail of therapeutic help. The potential value of computer games as therapeutic tools for these young people has received very little attention, despite indications of their potential for promoting engagement in therapeutic work and improving mental health outcomes. This study aimed to fill this research gap through the development, introduction, and preliminary evaluation of a therapeutic intervention in group care settings. The intervention incorporated a commercially available computer game (The SIMS Life Stories™) and emotion regulation skill coaching. Qualified residential social workers were trained to deliver it to young people in three children's homes in Northern Ireland, where therapeutic approaches to social work had been introduced. The research was framed as an exploratory case study which aimed to determine the acceptability and potential therapeutic value of this intervention. The evidence suggests that computer-game based interventions of this type may have value as therapeutic tools in group care settings and deserve further development and empirical investigation to determine their effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Aventin, Áine & Houston, Stan & Macdonald, Geraldine, 2014. "Utilising a computer game as a therapeutic intervention for youth in residential care: Some preliminary findings on use and acceptability," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(P3), pages 362-369.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:47:y:2014:i:p3:p:362-369
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.10.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Havlicek, Judy R. & Garcia, Antonio R. & Smith, Douglas C., 2013. "Mental health and substance use disorders among foster youth transitioning to adulthood: Past research and future directions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 194-203.
    2. Petrenko, Christie L.M. & Culhane, Sara E. & Garrido, Edward F. & Taussig, Heather N., 2011. "Do youth in out-of-home care receive recommended mental health and educational services following screening evaluations?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(10), pages 1911-1918, October.
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    4. Nathan Wilkinson & Rebecca P. Ang & Dion H. Goh, 2008. "Online Video Game Therapy for Mental Health Concerns: A Review," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(4), pages 370-382, July.
    5. Uliando, Anna & Mellor, David, 2012. "Maltreatment of children in out-of-home care: A review of associated factors and outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(12), pages 2280-2286.
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    Cited by:

    1. Osteen, Philip J. & Lacasse, Jeffrey R. & Woods, MaKenna N. & Greene, Rachel & Frey, Jodi J. & Lane Forsman, R., 2018. "Training youth services staff to identify, assess, and intervene when working with youth at high risk for suicide," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 308-315.
    2. González-García, Carla & Bravo, Amaia & Arruabarrena, Ignacia & Martín, Eduardo & Santos, Iriana & Del Valle, Jorge F., 2017. "Emotional and behavioral problems of children in residential care: Screening detection and referrals to mental health services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 100-106.

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