"Childhood Ecosystem": MSUPE Faculty Implement a Programme for Preventing the Risks of Destructive Behaviour in Adolescents
Faculty and students of the Faculty of Legal Psychology at MSUPE have been actively cooperating with 15 special closed-type educational institutions (SUVU) subordinate to the Russian Ministry of Education for more than two years. In 2024 and 2025, on the basis of these institutions, within the framework of a State Assignment from the Russian Ministry of Education and an internal MSUPE grant, the faculty team conducted evidence-based research on the effectiveness of programs for preventing the risks of destructive behaviour in adolescents and trained specialists. The main focus of MSUPE staff was on implementing and supporting the preventive model "Childhood Ecosystem," based on the integration of skill-based technologies (SFBT – solution-focused brief therapy), restorative approaches, and mentoring technologies (competent mentoring).
On September 17–18, representatives of the faculty and participants of the aforementioned projects — Head of the Department of Legal Psychology and Law Rimma Vyacheslavovna Chirkina, Senior Lecturer at the Department Natalia Vladimirovna Putintseva, and Associate Professor at the Department Ekaterina Eduardovna Boykina — held another off-site seminar at Ishimbay SUVU (Republic of Bashkortostan) .
Ishimbay SUVU is one of two SUVUZTs (Russian Ministry of Education) in Russia where only girls aged 11 to 18 are raised, educated, and acquire professional skills. The other 13 SUVUs educate young men.
The impressions from visiting Ishimbay SUVU, from the first steps on the grounds to getting acquainted with the entire infrastructure of the institution, were incredibly positive. The territory of the SUVU impresses with its well-kept appearance: blooming hydrangeas, autumn chrysanthemums, and fragrant alyssum. The students, under the guidance of a master, are mastering landscape design not only outdoors but also in the greenhouse. The fence around the institution, both outside and inside, is decorated with bright drawings created by the students together with their teachers. This joint creative project of the students and their teachers symbolizes kindness and support, which is important for new charges and relatives of the students.
Vocational education at Ishimbay SUVU is not only about acquiring specific skills such as working as a waitress, chambermaid, seamstress, or painter. It is also about upbringing and personal development. For example, seamstresses create costumes inspired by the folk epics of Bashkortostan, which they then demonstrate at all-Russian venues.
The students actively participate in additional educational programs. MSUPE teachers were particularly impressed by the work of the animation club "S.O.V.A.," led by the well-known Bashkortostan artist Vera Sharigina. She spoke about the process of creating animated films and the forms of participation of the students in this, using the example of an animated film based on Nikolai Gumilyov's poem "The Giraffe." The girls prepared reference drawings and then, together with their leader, "brought them to life" using software. The voice-over belongs to one of the students.
The teachers of the Faculty of Legal Psychology became welcome guests at Ishimbay SUVU. The meeting programme included a presentation of the psychological profile of a SUVU student, compiled based on the results of 4 waves of psychodiagnostic research over almost 18 months of joint work between the university and the institution. N.V. Putintseva conducted a master class on the restorative program "Community Circle" with educators, masters, and subject teachers on the topic "I and My Values." The students and teachers gathered for a real project session within the framework of the skill-based technology "Skilful Class" under the guidance of R.V. Chirkina: during the meeting, the girls and adults worked in real time on those skills that they themselves recognize as problematic for themselves. The focus of E.E. Boykina's meeting was on the methodology of constructing psychodiagnostic research by psychologists of Ishimbay and Serafimovka SUVUs.
The results of the visit by specialists from the Faculty of Legal Psychology are best reflected in the feedback from SUVU staff.
About the "Community Circle" (N.V. Putintseva):
- "What touched me most was the sincerity of the participants. It brings us closer and reminds us that we are not alone with our questions. The stories I heard made me reconsider my views. Special thanks for the careful facilitation: no one pushed, everyone felt comfortable. The meeting filled me with inner calm."
- "I thank Natalia Vladimirovna for the warm atmosphere and safe space. Every teacher was heard and accepted. The circle's theme 'Life Values. Difficulties. What Helps Overcome Difficulties' resonated with all participants. It was valuable to hear different points of view. The circle became an excellent tool for strengthening connections. The meeting helped reduce stress levels and feel the support of colleagues. After the circle, I felt emotional relief and a surge of strength."
About the "Skilful Class" master class and the presentation of the "Student Portrait" (R.V. Chirkina):
- "Substantive and useful material. I will use it in my work. Huge gratitude."
- "MSUPE specialists translated a complex array of data into the language of living processes occurring in our charges. A feeling of solid ground beneath our feet has emerged."
About the psychodiagnostic seminar and the presentation of the "Student Portrait" (E.E. Boykina):
- "Words of gratitude! Results of the meeting: I studied the article on the projective method 'Wounded Bird.' I prepared pictures for work. In addition, I ordered the TAT projective method."
- "The meeting gave a clear understanding: restorative technologies are not just talk about good and evil. This is systemic work that can be scientifically evaluated. When you see the results of four waves, you understand the value of every correctly asked question at a reconciliation meeting."
The Faculty of Legal Psychology at MSUPE thanks the management and staff of Ishimbay SUVU for their openness to new experience and fruitful cooperation! Thanks to their involvement, significant research and practice-oriented initiatives were implemented, and students gained valuable practice and the opportunity to look at the profession from the inside. Special thanks for their trust, warm welcome, and the creation of conditions for productive work. We hope for further interaction and new joint projects!