A reconstructive hermeneutic analysis: the distinctive role of body- and movement-based interventions with male offenders

Abstract

Body- and movement-based interventions are more and more being recognised as a therapeutic and pedagogical method. For an evidence-driven practice, scientific insight about how those interventions assist the process of change is essential. The present analysis provides a scientifically sound overview regarding therapeutic mechanisms of change when working with body- and movement-based interventions with male offenders. Based on the reconstructive-hermeneutic analysis, 23 publications were analysed regarding therapeutic factors and their orientation. Eight bodily therapeutic factors (BTF) and nine bodily orientations (BO) of body- and movement-based interventions were identified. An initial framework for the application of body- and movement-based interventions with male offenders in consideration of their processes is presented. This work suggests that body- and movement-based interventions are associated with defined bodily therapeutic factors and orientations. Further scientific research for further and practice-relevant theories in this field is suggested.