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A COMMUNITY OF PEERS - PROMOTING BEHAVIOR CHANGE: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY FOR JUVENILE MALE OFFENDERS IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM

PEALER, JENNIFER A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1083928845

Abstract Details

2004, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Education : Criminal Justice.
One avenue that has received considerable attention for the substance abusing adult population is a therapeutic community; however, research examining the effectiveness of this popular treatment modality for juveniles is scarce. While some studies have found a reduction in criminal behavior and substance abuse, others have found null results concerning the effectiveness of therapeutic communities. Furthermore, the literature on therapeutic communities has been criticized on the following points: 1) studies fail to incorporate multiple outcome criteria to measure program success; 2) follow-up time frames have been inadequate; 3) comparison groups often fail to account for important differences between groups that are likely to impact program outcome; and 4) insufficient attention that is given to the measure of program quality. Moreover, research on the effectiveness of therapeutic communities for juvenile offenders is limited. Accordingly, this research attempts to overcome the common shortcomings by: 1) including multiple outcome criterion; 2) following the juveniles for a period up to 3 years after program completion; 3) using a comparison group drawn from a sample of youth that did not receive treatment but who are matched on risk and needs; and 4) using a standardized instrument to measure program quality. The current study used a quasi-experimental design to estimate the impact of the juvenile therapeutic community on recidivism (e.g., return to incarceration; both juvenile and adult). The treatment group was a sample of 447 male youth who were sentenced to a residential treatment facility that operated as a therapeutic community from January 2000 to August 2001. The comparison group was derived from a sample of adjudicated youth who were released from the Department of Youth Services in 1999. The comparison group was matched based on risk and need levels (e.g., Youthful Level of Service/Case Management Inventory). Due to the fact that there were different times to failure, a Cox regression model was computed to determine if participation in a therapeutic community significantly reduced the probability of a new incarceration. Results indicated that while the treatment group was less likely to be incarcerated during this time period, the difference between the groups was nonsignificant.
Dr. Edward Latessa (Advisor)
225 p.
Sociology, Criminology and Penology
therapeutic community; juvenile male offenders; program effectiveness

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • PEALER, J. A. (2004). A COMMUNITY OF PEERS - PROMOTING BEHAVIOR CHANGE: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY FOR JUVENILE MALE OFFENDERS IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1083928845

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • PEALER, JENNIFER. A COMMUNITY OF PEERS - PROMOTING BEHAVIOR CHANGE: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY FOR JUVENILE MALE OFFENDERS IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM. 2004. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1083928845.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • PEALER, JENNIFER. "A COMMUNITY OF PEERS - PROMOTING BEHAVIOR CHANGE: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY FOR JUVENILE MALE OFFENDERS IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1083928845

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.