Challenges of Occupational Therapy in the social inclusion of young offenders in closed centers in Chile

The research qualitative and exploratory, aimed to develop an analysis of the actions a group of occupational therapists made in social reintegration programs for young offenders in closed centers. For this, we contacted a... [ view full abstract ]

The research qualitative and exploratory, aimed to develop an analysis of the actions a group of occupational therapists made in social reintegration programs for young offenders in closed centers. For this, we contacted a group of 29 professionals who answered a semi-structured questionnaire. The analysis of the findings was performed using the technique of content analysis. Within results identified that professional actions are geared to occupational needs of adolescents, focused towards social participation and work inclusion. The interventions focus on motivational processes and accountability, with axis in the therapeutic relationship, motivational interviewing and consideration of the interests of teenagers. It is estimated that the routines into the center and the area of education are not addressed, mostly, by occupational therapists. Interdisciplinary teams of centers have incorporated the role of Occupational Therapy difficulties and ignorance, attributing only certain expertise in the areas of training in the workplace.
We conclude that there are different levels of professional development in the area, since not all professionals have experience working with private adolescents of freedom, which have high levels of psychological complexity. There are advances in diagnosis of occupational proposed juvenile offenders, but is necessary to generate evidence regarding specific interventions to strengthen actions to improve occupational performance of adolescents to achieve effective reintegration processes.