The ambiguities of coercion: Mapping adolescents' experiences of coercion in institutional everyday life

Abstract

The article presents a metasynthesis of qualitative studies, which have described and analysed adolescents' experiences of coercion in institutional contexts such as psychiatric care, child welfare and juvenile justice. The study finds that coercion is an ambiguous practice, mainly used for protection and treatment purposes, while it is often experienced as punitive. Acknowledging the ambiguities of coercion can contribute to a more nuanced understanding of practice and experience, which is useful for reducing the harmful effects of coercion and strengthening participatory methods of care and treatment.