Evaluation of a theory-based transitional aftercare program for court -adjudicated adolescents

Grace Christine Cillo, Fordham University

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of an experimental 90-day post-incarceration program for court-adjudicated adolescents. The experimental program utilized multisystemic-focused interventions implemented by a multi-disciplinary treatment team which included the adolescent's parent/s who worked with other team members to devise various plans and goals of treatment. Strength-based measures of adolescents' functioning in the domains of family functioning, school functioning, interpersonal strength, affective strength, intrapersonal strength, overall functioning, as well as rates of recidivism were taken upon discharge from incarceration (baseline), 45 days after discharge, and 90 days after discharge. ANOVAS conducted indicated that compared to traditional probation services delivered to 50 control group participants (26 male, 24 female), the experimental program (administered to 28 males and 22 females) was efficacious in significantly increasing measures of the strength-based scores. Regarding recidivism, although not statistically significant, the rate at which youths in the experimental group reoffended was lower than in the probation group. Success of the experimental program in improving strength-based scores as well as suppressing rates of recidivism may be attributed to its multisystemic focus and family-oriented interventions.

Subject Area

Developmental psychology|Criminology

Recommended Citation

Cillo, Grace Christine, "Evaluation of a theory-based transitional aftercare program for court -adjudicated adolescents" (2001). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI3023372.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI3023372

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