Self-empowerment Program (SEP): A Pilot Study to Reduce the Externalising Behaviors of Adolescents Exposed to Inter-parental Conflict

Description

Page: 468-474

John Joseph¹ and Rodel P. Canlas² (The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines¹ and Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines²)

Adolescents exposed to interparental conflicts (IPC) are highly vulnerable regarding their externalizing behaviors. Interventions are therefore necessary in a situation like this. Research findings suggest a noteworthy correlation between externalizing behaviors and adolescents who experience IPC. The focus of this study was to develop, evaluate, and implement a pilot program for an intervention that would reduce the externalizing behaviors that adolescents exposed to IPC exhibit. Conklin’s developmental model was utilized in the program’s development, and focus groups, interviews, and the Youth Self-Report scale were employed to fathom the main problems. This newly developed ‘Self-Empowerment Program’ (SEP), which integrated self-efficacy and coping theories, was implemented over six weeks. Each session lasted 60 minutes and included specific activities and topics covered in each session. The program was conducted for 10 adolescents. The single-group pilot study results showed that the participants’ pre-and post-test scores differed significantly. After participating in the Self-Empowerment Program (SEP), adolescents who exhibited externalizing behaviors due to the interparental conflict showed a considerable improvement in their sense of self-empowerment, self-efficacy, and coping.