Comparison of Treatment Environments in Community-Based Group Homes of Adolescent Offenders

• NCJ Number: 114296
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior: An International Journal Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1988) Pages: 349-363
• Author(s): M M Bedlington; C J Braukmann; K A Ramp; M M Wolf
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 15 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH 20030; DA 02313; 3P 30HD0252821
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institute of Mental Health; Kanas Mental Retardation Research Ctr
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Evaluations of community-based programs for delinquents have usually addressed differential outcomes or cost-efficiency, but generally ignored the treatment environments themselves. Yet milieu characteristics are important in assessing treatment quality. The present research examined several environmental dimensions in 11 group home programs.

Abstract

Teaching-Family programs scored significantly higher on observational and self-report measures of staff-youth relationships and interactions, staff teaching activities and disapproval of deviance, the family-likeness and pleasantness of the program atmosphere, and the extent of prosocial behavior displayed by the participants. Several of the measures were significantly negatively correlated with self-reported delinquency. The results suggest that, contrary to some stereotypes, behavioral programs can be pleasant, positive, and familylike while offering structured treatment. (Author abstract)