Abstract
This research studies the executive processes of youths under protective measures between 13 and 18years of age, as well as the emotional problems they have and the presence of behavioural problems, such as difficulties to control and direct attention, to control one’s own behaviour and inhibit inadequate or ineffective responses (hyperactivity-impulsiveness) and problems related to emotional regulation. In addition, we study the presence of significant differences according to the sex of the youths. We also analyse to what extent the difficulties in the executive processes are related to and can predict the emotional and behavioural problems. The instruments used were Stroop’s Colour and Word Test (Stroop), the Paths Test (TESen), and the System of Evaluation for Children and Adolescents (SENA). The results indicated that the youths had difficulties in such executive processes as execution, speed, and accuracy in carrying out tasks. Furthermore, they had emotion problems, amongst which the symptoms of anxiety are worthy of note; whilst attention deficit, hyperactivity-impulsiveness, and problems related to emotional regulation could also be observed. The data indicated greater difficulties in the executive processes for males than for females. There was a greater emotional symptomatology in the females, whilst there were greater deficits in attention and hyperactivity/impulsiveness in the males. Similarly, the deficits in the executive processes were related to and predicted emotional and behavioural problems. This research suggests the design of a structured programme focused on systematic training in real, daily situations, recommending the use of restorative techniques to work on the affected cognitive skills and techniques aimed at improving the youths’ emotion regulation.
Highlights
Residential care is a protective measure aimed at those youths who, due to the especially vulnerable situation, cannot remain in the family homes
Results from System of Evaluation for Children and Adolescents (SENA) test indicated that the global indices the scores obtained were above average in both indices
As for gender differences in the executive processes, in emotional problems and in behavioural problems, Table 2 shows the data from the Mann-Whitney U test
Summary
Residential care is a protective measure aimed at those youths who, due to the especially vulnerable situation, cannot remain in the family homes These youths are in a situation of abuse or serious risk of suffering abuse, either because the families do not or cannot adequately attend to the basic needs, or because they are victims of abuse. Problems in Youths Under Protective them with a temporary place of residence that can guarantee them the necessary protection, education and emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and social development. Many of these youths may present negative psychological consequences because of their situation of abuse and/or their adverse family life (D’Andrea et al, 2012; Jennissen et al, 2016; Jozefiak et al, 2016). Sege et al (2017) and Docherty et al (2018) point to the most frequent emotional and behavioural manifestations in victims of abuse as being attention deficits, oppositional defiant disorders, an inability to regulate emotional states, problems with the peers, and unruly behaviour at school
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