KEBERKESANAN MODUL TERAPI RASIONAL EMOTIF TINGKAH LAKU (REBT) KEPADA KEMURUNGAN REMAJA DELINKUEN DI SEKOLAH TUNAS BAKTI

Abstract

Delinquent adolescents with depressive disorder have a higher number than the general adolescent population. Depression is associated with negative behavior and moral misconduct that can endanger themselves and society. Thus, this study aims to identify the effectiveness of the Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) module in overcoming depression among delinquent adolescents. This study involved a total of 100 adolescents age between 15 to 20 who were detained under the juvenile justice system at Sekolah Tunas Bakti (STB), Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. All respondents were selected using simple random sampling and divided into two groups, namely the treatment group (n = 50) who received therapy using the REBT module, and the control group (n = 50) who were not given the same therapy. ANCOVA repeated measure was used to identify the significant changes in depression score between groups. The results of the analysis showed that there were significant differences between groups. Adolescents who were received therapy using the REBT module showed lower depression scores than adolescents from the control group. This study provides an important finding as an alternative intervention therapy to be used by the therapists and the trainers at the juvenile rehabilitation center in promoting adolescents’ positive emotions.