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Abstract
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Evaluations of family preservation services have seldom assessed delinquency among adolescents receiving services. In this longitudinal study we examine court convictions among 104 youth referred to family preservation for problem behavior or abuse.
Youth and their families were followed for up to three years after termination of family preservation services. Survival rates showing length of time to first conviction and correlates of reoffending are identified in two groups identified by reason for referral. Thirty-two behavior problem and 15 abused youth were convicted of offenses during the follow-up period. In addition, youth referred for problem behavior were 60.04% more likely to offend than youth referred for the reason of abuse. They also committed more offenses during follow-up and committed offenses sooner than those referred for abuse. Eighty-one percent of behavior problem referrals offended within the first year after family preservation compared to 66% of abuse referrals. Bivariate and multivariate EHA models differed by group.
Implications for practice and program development are discussed. Family preservation may be less effective with youth who experience multiple behavior problems. While future research on family preservation outcomes should consider the heterogeneity of the population served by family preservation programs and adjust the services accordingly. One size does not fit all. (Abstract Adapted from Source: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 2000. Copyright © 2000 by The Haworth Press)
Family Preservation
Juvenile Delinquency
Juvenile Behavior
Juvenile Problem Behavior
Multiple Problem Behaviors
Juvenile Victim
Child Abuse Effects
Child Abuse Victim
Child Abuse-Delinquency Link
Child Physical Abuse Effects
Child Physical Abuse Victim
Domestic Violence Victim
Domestic Violence Effects
Family Based
Intervention Program
Program Effectiveness
Prevention Program
Delinquency Prevention
Child Abuse Intervention
Child Physical Abuse Intervention
Behavior Intervention
Domestic Violence Intervention
08-02 |