Research Team on the Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Girls and Women

Principal investigator

Nadine Lanctôt

Researchers

Delphine Collin-Vézina, Amélie Couvrette, Geneviève Paquette, Geneviève Parent, Mathilde Turcotte

Project status:

Completed

Years:

May 2018 - March 2022

Abstract

Our focus is on vulnerable adolescent girls and young women (12 to 25 years old). These young people receive level 2 and 3 psychosocial rehabilitation services because their development is hindered or compromised by significant relationship or behavioural problems and/or because they have deficiencies in the exercise of their parental responsibilities (Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, 2013). Among the reasons they may require rehabilitation services are abuse, parental neglect, anti-social behaviour, dropping out of school, gang involvement, prostitution, substance abuse, as well as problems that indicate significant psychological distress such as anxiety and suicidal thoughts. These problems have a high potential to impair the quality of social adjustment and the transition to adulthood (Department of Health and Human Services, 2013). Rehabilitation is part of the continuum of services for children and youth. It refers to "a process of assistance enabling a young person whose development is hindered or compromised by major difficulties in interacting with his or her environment, to re-engage with that environment so as to draw on the resources he or she needs to pursue his or her development, use his or her abilities to their full potential, and carry out his or her life project with the greatest possible autonomy.” [Translation] (Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, 2013: p.9). Rehabilitation is based on a proximity intervention that is actualized by sustained and individualized support and by a presence in daily events (Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, 2013). Rehabilitation interventions can be carried out through individual meetings, group activities or family meetings, both in the community and in an institutional context. Disciplines involved in the rehabilitation of troubled youth include social work, criminology, psycho-education and psychology. Different clinical approaches can be implemented depending on the abilities and needs of a given clientele and on the nature of the desired changes. Adapting interventions to the characteristics of a given clientele makes sense for our projects, which focus specifically on adolescent girls and young women in difficulty.

Funding Organization:

Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et Culture (FRQSC) - Soutien aux équipes de recherche