Psychological correction of juvenile offenders’ criminal motivation

A psychological correction program for juvenile offenders' criminal motivation, implemented with the help of socio-psychological training “Quartet”, is outlined in the present paper. Differences between parameters of psychological content of criminal motivation components (individual-personal, cognitive, emotional and behavioural) of juveniles were analyzed. Using the mathematical statistics method (Wilcoxon rank sum test), significant positive changes in the structure of a juvenile offender's criminal motivation were shown. As for the control group of juveniles, there were no changes. The “Quartet” correctional program can be used in the practical activities of pedagogues, psychologists, law enforcement officials and other professionals working with adolescents, as part of prevention or corrective actions with juvenile offenders, as well as for the prevention of recidivism. As a result, the program contains four modules: cognitive, emotional, individual-personal and behavioural, aimed at the psychological correction of the criminal motivation components and the formation of lawful behaviour among juvenile offenders.