Behandelmotivatie in de forensische jeugdzorg

Abstract
Young people in forensic youth care often have little motivation for treatment. In many cases they
have not chosen for treatment themselves, and they often have previous negative treatment
experiences. However, treatment motivation is important for achieving positive treatment results.
To a large extent, treatment motivation is influenced by factors in the environment and care providers
can play an important role in increasing it. A larger treatment motivation predicts both treatment
participation and completion, while low treatment motivation is associated with drop-out and
recidivism.
In order to gain more insight into the factors that can be influenced that are related to treatment
motivation in young people in forensic youth care, we conducted a study commissioned by the
program Kwaliteit Forensische Zorg Jeugd (KFZ-J). The study consisted of a systematic literature
review, two meetings with an expert group of young people who themselves are or have been
involved in forensic youth care, and a digital expert session with professionals from the field.
In the literature review we included 23 scientific articles and examined which factors are associated
with treatment motivation. In particular, we found evidence for the importance of relatedness
(working relationship with care provider) and perceived autonomy. In addition, characteristics of the
treatment, the treatment environment and the practitioners also appeared to play a role. The type
and severity of a young person's problem, and in particular the extent to which they suffer from it,
is also associated with treatment motivation.
During the meetings with young people, we discussed the findings in more detail and made the
recommendations more concrete. According to the young people, the most important aspects for
treatment motivation are: having a good relationship with the care provider, being allowed to
participate in decisions about treatment and feeling that you are being listened to. Finally, in the
expert session with practitioners, we discussed the importance of providing perspective for the future
by providing care for young people and the role of parent(s)/guardian(s) in treatment.
Based on the results of our literature study and the input of young people and practitioners, we
formulated several recommendations for increasing the treatment motivation of young people in
forensic youth care. These include facilitating and developing a strong working relationship with
young people, give young people a voice in their treatment, and offering them possibilities and
perspective for the future.