Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
Corresponding author: Xiaoping Wang. E-mail: xiaop6@126.com

Abstract 

This randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Williams LifeSkills Training (WLST) as a means of improving the psychological health of Chinese male juvenile violent offenders. Sixty-six participants were assigned randomly to receive the usual intervention plus 8 weeks of WLST (study group, n = 33) or only the usual intervention (control group, n = 33). We found that the study group exhibited significantly decreased State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI X-1, X-2) STAX2 scores and Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ) negative scores, and increased Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) tangible scores from baseline to 9 weeks later (P <0.01). In addition, a between-group difference in changes of TCSQ negative score was observed at the end of week 9 (P <0.05). These findings suggest that WLST can improve trait anxiety, coping style, and interpersonal support in male Chinese juvenile violent offenders.

Keywords

violent offenders; juvenile; Williams LifeSkills Training; psychological health

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