Preventive psychology: concept, specifics, scope

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Preventive psychology is an independent branch of psychological and pedagogical science. In Russia, the training of specialists in this discipline began in the early nineties of the last century. Its appearance and development is valuable because it comes from the practice of preventing deviations in behavior. Based on the study of experience and creative "finds" identified in the work of pedagogical institutions and out-of-school institutions. The basic concepts of preventive psychology, its specificity and scope will be discussed in this article.

Risk group

A significant omission of many specialists is that deviations in behavior and, as a result, the appearance of mental he alth disorders in young people are not always considered by them from the point of view of preventive psychology. Much remains to be learned about the causes of mental disorders. But numerous studiesprove that at least some categories of this age group can be considered as potential and be included in the risk group. This includes the following individuals:

• Those who use alcohol or drugs.
• Experiencing past or present child neglect or abuse.
• Those experiencing trauma or stress.
• Without he althy relationships in the family and with the immediate environment,.

It is clear that when you work with a person, it is impossible to change what happened in the past. However, mastering the basics of preventive psychology provides an opportunity to help young people develop resilience and strong coping skills, helping them come to terms with traumatic experiences and paving the way to move forward in a positive way.

General information

The objects of preventive psychology are socially unadapted children, adolescents, young men and their families. The reason for the study is the appearance of deviations in behavior, which has the form of an aggressive, mercenary, socially dangerous, self-destructive nature.

Psychologists consider deviant (deviant) behavior in three conditional directions:

• In terms of socialization.
• In terms of social reactions.
• From the position of social control.

Deviant behavior is investigated through a systematic analysis of actions or social actions that are contrary to social standards, legal ormoral standards. There is a conditional division into its main types:

• criminal,
• not illegal (not criminally punishable),
• immoral.

It is difficult to draw a clear line between different types of behavior, since deviation from moral norms makes it possible to commit a crime or other offense.

Basics

Preventive psychology is based on theoretical developments on:

• study of criminogenic qualities of personality and society;
• identify factors influencing their formation;
• detection of the main patterns of neutralization of such phenomena;
• development of measures in terms of the development of positive qualities of the individual and society.

This science solves its problems, based on theoretical and practical knowledge, allowing to analyze the emergence of antisocial qualities of personality and consciousness, to identify factors that contribute to their formation, as well as patterns of their neutralization and development.

Main Tasks

Let's list the main tasks that preventive psychology specialists face:

• Development of the theoretical foundations of this science.
• Creating applied strategies for the prevention of behavioral deviations.
• Preparing a system of effective organizational, legal, educational measures to prevent the occurrence of behavioral disorders.
• Methodologicaldevelopment of ways to prevent crime and research into the formation of criminogenic personality traits.

The issue of science concerns the development of effective and evidence-based approaches to preventive work with people at risk.

Principles of preventive work of the state in this area

Intensive development of preventive psychology in recent years has led to the need to reconsider the approach to solving problems arising in connection with the socialization of young people. Below are a few key principles for implementing activities:

• Organizational politics. Creation of a state structure of preventive service for young people and families in need of assistance. It should include various psychological counseling, social, rehabilitation, leisure and other organizations.
• Personnel policy. Training of professionals who specialize in practical work aimed at preventing or correcting examples of deviant behavior among children, adolescents and young men.
• Implementation, again, at the state level, of legal, social, medical, psychological, pedagogical assistance to the family as a key link in the socialization of the individual.

Considering the basic principles of discipline, state bodies are developing measures that involve the maximum reduction in the activities of juvenile inspections; psychologization of the processes of training, development and education in the institutions of the nationaleducation and he alth; organizing a structure of services aimed at helping families and children in need.

Testing as a preventive measure

Recent statistics show a significant increase in the number of young people who use substances that change the consciousness of the individual (drugs, alcohol, psychotropic drugs, and others) and subsequently cause manifestations of altered behavior, which cannot but affect their social role.

Therefore, a federal law was adopted as a preventive measure for the early detection and prevention of drug use. In accordance with its article, the process of identifying persons taking narcotic or psychotropic substances is regulated. It takes place in two main stages:

1. Socio-psychological testing of students.
2. Student screenings.

The first stage is carried out in an educational institution. Students are tested by qualified professionals. The procedure was approved by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation "On Approval of the Procedure for Conducting Social and Psychological Testing of Persons Studying in General Educational Institutions and Vocational Educational Institutions, as well as in Educational Institutions of Higher Education". According to the document, the presence of observers from the parent community is allowed.

The main goal of the events isexclusively preventive in nature and consists in the timely provision of targeted assistance.

Age Crisis

Overcoming age crises is inherent in every generation, regardless of times or the state of society.

And if, due to physical dependence and lack of independence, early crises (newborns, one year old, three and seven years old) children pass under the close attention and control of their elders, then later ones (puberty, a crisis of seventeen years) are complicated by the fact that a certain some young people overcome them either on their own or using the solutions and advice of their peers. And they may be contrary to legal, moral and ethical public principles and are able to cause significant harm to the physical and mental he alth of the child.

This happens, as a rule, in dysfunctional or incomplete families. In those where there is no support that a young person needs and should give him a sense of self-confidence and competence. Where instead of friendly communication and understanding, the child receives total control, pressure on the psyche, perhaps even violence.

In cases where the child does not find support in the family, it can be replaced by friends or peers with similar experience. They will be able to listen, and advise, and help. In cases of positive influence of the immediate environment, young people successfully overcome a difficult crisis period. Their identity is self-defining both socially and professionally.

Negative outcomeimplies the negative influence of "friends". It was during this period that most of the so-called difficult teenagers acquire bad habits, the first and not always safe sexual experience, acquaintance with criminal relationships, and the like.

Adolescence

Adolescence goes through several stages. It begins with manifestations of physiological changes in the body that are caused by puberty. And accompanied by psychological changes. Through the desire to become an adult, which is required by the processes occurring with the body, a so-called sense of adulthood is formed. The teenager is faced with a number of conflicting attitudes and feelings that he needs to cope with:

• He still needs adult guidance in his own actions, but at the same time demonstrates rebellious behavior directed against adult control measures.
• Stormy, rapid internal and external changes in the body caused by the processes of physiological maturation, on the one hand, and mental unpreparedness for sexual experience, on the other.
• Setting strong boundaries for personal space. And at the same time, there is an urgent need for the care and support of elders.

Psychologists define the following main goals for overcoming the pubertal crisis:

• Achieving self-determination and awareness of one's own individuality.
• Performing gender identity.
• Formation of a personal system of values and life goals.

OnAt this stage, manifestations of irritation, negativism, the appearance of signs of depression and suicidal tendencies are possible. Often there are typical examples of delinquent behavior. Read more about it below.

What is delinquent behavior

In a textbook on preventive psychology, this type of social behavior is described as a set of petty offenses that do not have a criminal nature, but have an asocial connotation.

Some real life examples of delinquent behavior:

• deliberately being late or skipping school;
• Violence against the weak (younger children, old people or defenseless animals);
• initiation into bad habits;
• communication with "difficult" peers and so on.

Motives for delinquent behavior are unconscious. As a rule, these are desires that require immediate fulfillment. And they are caused by the inability of a teenager to find ways to resolve their own internal conflicts.

Aggression

Deviations in behavior in adolescents and their manifestation of aggression are phenomena that are closely interconnected. Only a small percentage of aggressive children have any pathological abnormalities in the work of the psyche or nervous system.

Dangerous manifestations of anger are associated with persistent antisocial behavior and are observed in distrustful, "closed" children. At the initial stage, these outbreaks occur, as a rule, with loved ones at home. In the absence of a proper response and provision of correctiveWith help, manifestations intensify, self-control is lost, aggression manifests itself outside the home environment and can, under certain conditions, develop into examples of criminal behavior.

Juvenile delinquency

Textbooks on legal psychology contain many examples of the fact that juvenile delinquency is a reflection of adult delinquency. By copying the actions of their elders, teenagers successfully develop the existing criminal abilities under their guidance. They are involved in all kinds of crime: carrying weapons, illegal trade, fraud, theft, robbery, violence, terrorist attacks and more.

Psychological support

Too often mental he alth problems are seen as character flaws or a sign of weakness. These beliefs may simply not be true. But the damage they do to a young person's mental he alth is real.

A number of developmental psychology and social conditions can hinder an attempt to seek treatment, even in cases where there is a real need for this. Children or young men may not turn to their family or friends for comfort. Therefore, a preventive psychologist, working directly in his community, could help them by teaching and enlightening.

The main tasks of preventive psychology are to provide psychological support. This may be useful insituations described below:

• When you cannot overcome a temporary crisis or difficult events on your own.
• If it became necessary to reassess your life goals.
• When you need to promote personal inner growth.
• To achieve a better awareness of self, others and areas of life.
• To increase the dynamics of emotional, social, family, relational, educational and work events.
• Rediscover tranquility and inner well-being.
• Find a way out of a deadlock or blocked situation.
• Free yourself from worry, stress, impulses, thoughts, fears, difficulties, etc.
• Restore functional mood and self-esteem.
• Improve your character, improve your personality.

The principles of modern preventive psychology and pedagogy imply a rejection of punitive measures in favor of providing comprehensive assistance and support to both the children themselves and families at risk.

Conclusion

Preventive psychology is an independent science, which is based on fundamental knowledge from the field of psychology, sociology, medicine, and law. Its object is antisocial-adapted individuals and their immediate environment. The subject of study is the presence of deviant behavior, the reasons for its occurrence, methods of correction and influence.