South African Speech-Language Therapists’ Perceptions of Youth Offenders and Youth Offender Rehabilitation

Abstract

Background

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) tend to display similar levels of implicit bias towards certain groups as the general population. This is concerning as such biases are known to result in poorer clinical decision-making and therapeutic outcomes for offender populations. Understanding the perceptions that HCPs hold towards the groups they serve are therefore essential. Given the promising role that speech-language therapists (SLTs) could fulfil in youth offender rehabilitation, their perceptions towards the youth offender population needs further exploration. This study explored South African SLTs’ perceptions of youth offenders and youth offender rehabilitation.

Methods and procedures

Using non-probability purposive sampling, a cross-sectional, mixed-method online survey was distributed on social media platforms. Thirty-five SLTs registered with the Health professions council of South Africa (HPCSA) and currently practising in South Africa volunteered their participation. Quantitative data were analysed using point-biserial and Spearman correlations, while qualitative data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Most participants had not received training related to working with individuals in the criminal justice system (CJS) [n = 32, 91.4%] and had not previously delivered services to youth offenders in the CJS (n = 25, 71.4%). More than half of the participants agreed that youth offenders can be rehabilitated and functionally reintegrated after incarceration (n = 21, 60.0%). The majority (n = 29, 90.3%) also agreed that societal attitudes contribute to the challenges that youth offenders face during reintegration. Participants reported that communication disorders could negatively influence the behaviour and social interactions of youth offenders by contributing to emotional and behavioural difficulties. Participants with no previous training in working with persons in the CJS were more likely to agree that biological risk factors such as a genetic predisposition (p = 0.048, r_s = 0.358) and a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (p = 0.016, r_s =  0.430) could contribute to youth offending behaviour.

Conclusions and implications

Participants generally perceived youth offenders and their potential for rehabilitation positively. They also demonstrated good insight into potential barriers and societal attitudes that affect youth offender rehabilitation and reintegration. Additionally, participants without prior training to work with youth offenders were more likely to attribute criminal behaviour to personal and biological factors than participants who had received such training. Further research exploring HCPs' perceptions of youth offenders across different disciplines and contexts is recommended.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on this subject

• Youth offenders are at greater risk of developing communication difficulties. Subsequent research has focused on examining the prevalence and characteristics of the speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) within this population. In addition, a small number of preliminary studies have explored the efficacy of speech-language therapy (SLT) interventions for the population. What remains largely unexplored, however, is how SLTs perceive this population, despite evidence that such perceptions can shape clinical decision-making and patient engagement among healthcare professionals (HCPs).

What this study adds to the existing knowledge

• This study offers preliminary insights into South African SLTs’ perceptions of youth offenders, their rehabilitation, and the social attitudes that may influence the rehabilitation process. It also highlights the biological, environmental, and mixed risk factors that participants identified as potential contributors to youth offending behaviour.

What are the clinical implications of this study?

• Although this study has no direct clinical implications, its findings may be considered by SLTs in youth rehabilitation and could encourage HCPs to reconsider how they access and assess detained youth offenders. It could also inform public health policies on treatment modalities for youth offenders. Finally, this study provides a foundation for further research on HCPs’ perceptions of justice-involved youth.