Using camera-glasses for the assessment of aggressive behaviour among adolescents in residential correctional care: a small-scale study
| Published date | 12 January 2015 |
| Date | 12 January 2015 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-04-2014-0117 |
| Pages | 33-46 |
| Author | Alexander Wettstein,Marion Scherzinger |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Aggression, conflict & peace |
Using camera-glasses for the assessment
of aggressive behaviour among
adolescents in residential correctional
care: a small-scale study
Alexander Wettstein and Marion Scherzinger
Dr Alexander Wettstein is a
Researcher/Lecturer, based
at Research Department,
University of Applied Sciences
PHBern, Bern, Switzerland and
Department of Education,
University of Bern, Bern,
Switzerland.
Marion Scherzinger is a
Research Assistant, based
at Research Department
University of Applied Sciences
PHBern, Bern, Switzerland.
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine naturally occurring episodes of aggressive interaction
among adolescents in residential correctional programmes. The aims of our study were twofold. First, the
development of a new camera-glasses method, and second, the method’s applicability in the study of
aggressive adolescents in residential care.
Design/methodology/approach – Based on a mobile assessment strategy,the paper developed a new
methodology for in-the-field recording of environmental conditions in which aggressive behaviour arises.
The authors used glasses with an inbuilt camera worn by research subjects to record observational data.
In the particular study presented here the authors used camera-glasses to observe the material and social
environments of eight aggressive adolescents in a residential treatment programme and of a contrast group
of four non-aggressive adolescents living at home.
Findings – The crucial methodological findings are that camera-glasses successfully record the social and
physical environments of aggressive adolescents from their perspective in relation to their environment
and interlocutors, and that the camera-glasses method does not generate high reactivity. The results show
that aggressive adolescents in residential care use direct and reactive forms of aggression, and that their
aggressive behaviours occur predominantly in settings with limited adult supervision. In residential care
aggressive behaviour is, paradoxically, an effective strategy for individuals to gain regardand social status
among peers and to push their interests among staff.
Research limitations/implications – An obvious limitation is the reliance on a small sample which limits
the generalisation of the results.
Practical implications – For residential facilities it is crucial to reduce the occurrence of low supervised
social situations in order to minimise peer contagion. Furthermore, staff and educators need to be trained to
use deescalating response strategies when dealing with adolescents’ aggressive behaviour, precisely
deescalating strategies which neither involve acquiescence nor surrender to pressure.
Originality/value – Our investigations demonstrate that the camera-glasses method is a promising new
assessment technique which has applicability in various fields of adolescent research.
Keywords Aggression, Adolescents, Behaviour observation, Camera-glasses, Peer contagion,
Residential treatment
Paper type Research paper
Using camera-glasses for the assessment of aggressive behaviour among adolescents
in residential correctional care
Substantial effort has been dedicated to the treatment of aggressive adolescents in residential
care programmes. Paradoxically, little is known about the shape of everyday life of aggressive
youth in residential care and about the effects of interventions. In order to assess the social and
The authors thank Claudia Gross
(University of Auckland, New
Zealand) for preparing the English
text and Frank Vitaro for helpful
discussions. This study is part of
the research project “Pilot Study.
Life Worlds of Aggressive Boys and
Girls: The Assessment of
Interactions by means of Camera-
Glasses – Development of a
Method”, No. 08s 00 01 of the
Center for Research and
Development, University of Applied
Sciences, PHBern, Switzerland.
DOI 10.1108/JACPR-04-2014-0117 VOL. 7 NO. 1 2015, pp. 33-46, CEmerald Group PublishingLimited, ISSN 1759-6599
j
JOURNAL OF AGGRESSION, CONFLICT AND PEACE RESEARCH
j
PAGE 33
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