ADDRESSING PROSOCIAL DEFICITS: A COMPREHENSIVE INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN IN A SOCIAL WELFARE HOME - A CASE STUDY AT UPT PSPA PEKANBARU, RIAU

Abstract

This report presents an assessment and intervention plan aimed at addressing low prosocial behaviour among children residing at the Unit Pelaksana Teknis Panti Sosial Pengasuhan Anak (UPT PSPA), a social welfare home established in 2016 in Pekanbaru, Riau Province, Indonesia. The UPT PSPA serves as a haven for orphans, underprivileged children, and those facing various socio-economic challenges. Their honesty and empathy have become a constant concern, which may affect their daily behaviour as an individual and in a group. As a qualitative research method, the assessment phase involved a combination of interviews and participant observations conducted over the course of several weeks. The Respondents are all the Children (37 children) at UPT PSPA. Using the description analysis of the data results, the finding revealed a significant lack of prosocial behaviours, including honesty, empathy, and helping others, among the children. Instances of lying, bullying, and reluctance to assist peers were frequently observed. These behaviours prompted the need for intervention to foster prosocial behaviours and emotional intelligence. The intervention plan consisted of group counselling sessions and psychoeducation. The counselling sessions aimed to instil the values of honesty, gratitude, empathy, and mutual assistance in daily life. The psychoeducation component emphasized the importance of prosocial behaviour, including the use of “please”, “thank you”, and “I’m sorry” in interactions with others. Following the intervention, a post-assessment was conducted to evaluate changes in the children’s behaviours. While improvements were observed in some children, challenges remained, particularly with those who continued to engage in dishonesty due to fear of punishment or a desire for attention. In conclusion, this report highlights the importance of addressing prosocial behaviour deficits among children in social welfare homes. It underscores the need for ongoing efforts to nurture these behaviours, given their significance in promoting healthy social interactions and personal development. Future interventions will explore additional strategies to further enhance prosocial behaviours in the context.