Correction and Prevention of Juvenile Deviant Behaviour

Introduction. Teenagers have a rather evident vulnerability to the risks of the formation of various forms of deviation. It is determined by their age features, macro-social and micro-social situation of their development. The problem of juvenile deviant behavior is of particular importance due to the fact that it is a prerequisite for the formation of delinquent behavior and further criminalization of an individual. The aim of the research is theoretical and experimental proofs of art therapy training used for the correction and prevention of juvenile deviant behavior based on Erich Fromm’s Humanistic Psychoanalysis Theory. Materials and Methods. The analysis of psychological literature, methods of psychological diagnostics, art therapy techniques and methods of descriptive and analytical statistics were employed. Thirty juveniles with deviant behaviour were involved in the study. Results and Discussion. The structure and general logics of the implementation of art therapy training are revealed. The paper presents the mechanisms of signsymbolic mediation in corrective and preventive work with the juvenile frustrated needs. Special emphasis is made on the changes in the intensiveness of juveniles’ tendencies to deviant behavior and in the level of aggression and anxiety. The authors estimate the effectiveness of the developed training using diagnostic tests prior and after the training and comparing the results of the control and experimental groups. Conclusions. It is proved that art therapy training helped to reduce the level of juveniles’ deviant behavior, reactive and individual anxiety, as well as direct and indirect verbal aggression. Participation in the training allowed the teenagers not only to realize their frustrated existential needs, gain experience in mastering constructive forms of existential needs, but also destigmatize the image of themselves within their own self-awareness.