Understanding the Experience of Girls with EBD in a Gender-Responsive Support Group

This study examined the perceptions of adolescent girls with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) who were participating in a support group. The focus of the study was to explore the perceptions of the girls' friendships, connectedness with others, ability to establish and maintain relationships, and self-perceptions within the group. The sample consisted of five African American girls ages 15-19 attending a self-contained day school for students with EBD. The study design included three, semi-structured, individual interviews, participant observation of the support group, and collection of field notes and background data. Themes emerged in the areas of: (1) the appearance of normalcy; (2) the influence of negative experiences; (3) the lack of opportunity for exposure to female relationships and role models; (4) the positive influence of gender-responsive programming; and (5) the effects of the environment. Findings and recommendations for practice and future research are discussed.