Implementation of the Good Lives Model in an Open Juvenile Correctional Facility: An Exploration of Social Validity Through Practitioners’ Experiences

The Good Lives Model (GLM) is increasingly applied with justice-involved populations, but little is known about its use with youth in correctional settings. To address this, we used a constructivist grounded theory approach and conducted semi-structured interviews with fifteen practitioners from two units of an open correctional facility recently introduced to the GLM. The study explored the social validity of the model through practitioners' perceptions of its goals, integration in daily practice, and perceived benefits, while also considering factors influencing implementation and understanding. Results highlight that while practitioners valued the supportive attitudes promoted by the GLM, certain theoretical foundations were not fully clear and required further explanation. The findings underline the need to adapt training programs to the specific realities of juvenile correctional contexts. Emphasis should be placed on thorough practitioner preparation and continuous professional support to strengthen GLM practices and foster sustainable application in youth justice settings.