COGNITIVE TECHNIQUE TO IMPROVE SELF-CONCEPT AMONG ADOLESCENCESIN SCHOOL WITH DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR

Abstract

Low self-concept may contribute to negative behavior such as delinquency. The present study aimed to help delinquent school students who are adolescences to increase self-concept by applying Cognitive Technique of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT). 30 participants who completed   Multidimensional Self Concept Scale were selected based on the score of (0-60) that indicated low self-concept level. These participants were divide into threegroups that consisted of weekly treatment group (T1), marathon treatment group (T2) and control group, with 10 members in each group. The T1 and T2 received the intervention while the control group was not provided any intervention. Pre and post interventional analysis were done. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of mean differences, MANCOVA and Post-Hoc Tukey were done. The results showed that self-concept of participants in treatment group increased significantly compared to the participants in control group. Also, the self-concept of the weekly treatment group was significantly higher compared to the marathon treatment group. As a conclusion, REBT is effective to improve self-concept among the delinquent students. The findings of this study sheds light on helping delinquent students to increase self-concept. These participants responded well to the therapy in improving their low self-concept. Also it is predicted that their delinquency may reduce once the self-concept is improved. This knowledge is beneficial for the educational institutions as they can provide such therapy to help the students.