Supporting Learners Within a Secondary School Context Using the My FRIENDS Youth Skills for Life Programme: Five Participants and Their Experience.

Abstract

The My FRIENDS Youth Skills for Life programme is a group cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) based programme and was used with a group of five young secondary students who had previously experienced difficulty with emotional regulation, peer relationships and discipline at school. A mixed method approach was used and included screening questionnaires, school record data and participant feedback. Themes identified include emotional regulation, peer relationships, discipline, and classroom referrals. The mean result for emotional regulation did not reveal substantial change, however, on an individual level, one participant improved and one reduced. Peer relationships demonstrated an overall improvement. Discipline and classroom referrals reduced and the participant’s recognitions (acknowledgements) increased at school. The results of the research project indicate that the My FRIENDS Youth Skills for Life programme assisted participants with developing life management skills, namely emotional regulation, developing peer and teacher relationships, and problem-solving.