NCJ Number
53117
Journal
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry Volume: 18 Issue: 3 Dated: (AUGUST 1977) Pages: 221-228
Date Published
1976
Length
8 pages
Annotation
RESEARCH WAS CONDUCTED AT THE ST. CHARLES YOUTH TREATMENT CENTRE IN ENGLAND, A RESIDENTIAL CENTER FOR DIFFICULT ADOLESCENTS, TO EVALUATE THE DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR OF YOUTH AND STAFF ATTITUDES.
Abstract
THE CENTER CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 40 BOYS AND GIRLS WHO HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO THE CARE OF A LOCAL AUTHORITY AND FOUND TO BE UNMANAGEABLE IN LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS. IT HAS A RANGE OF THERAPEUTIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND RECREATIONAL RESOURCES AND A HIGH RATIO OF STAFF FROM NUMEROUS DISCIPLINES. THERE ARE THREE HOUSE UNITS, EACH WITH A DISTINCT REGIME AND DEGREE OF SECURITY. CHILDREN ADMITTED TO THE CENTER ARE DISTINGUISHED BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THEIR DISRUPTIVE AND FREQUENTLY VIOLENT AND DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR IN RESIDENTIAL SETTINGS. THE PURPOSE OF RESEARCH WAS TO DISCOVER POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR AND BELIEFS OF STAFF MEMBERS ABOUT THE CAUSE AND MANAGEMENT OF DELINQUENCY. THE STUDY PERIOD COVERED AUGUST TO OCTOBER 1971. THE SAME FIVE CHILDREN, TWO BOYS AND THREE GIRLS, WERE PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE RESEARCH. ALL WERE 13 OR 14 YEARS OF AGE AND HAD A HISTORY OF ABSCONDING FROM COMMUNITY SCHOOLS OR ASSESSMENT CENTERS. INCIDENTS OF DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR WERE RECORDED, AND IT WAS INTENDED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF THESE INCIDENTS SHOULD EXPRESS THE OVERALL LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY EXPERIENCED WITH CHILDREN DURING A SHIFT. THERE WERE 24 STAFF MEMBERS INVOLVED IN SHIFT WORK, ALONG WITH 5 MANAGEMENT AND SPECIALIST STAFF. STAFF ATTITUDES WERE ASSESSED VIA A QUESTIONNAIRE CONTAINING SIX SCALES OF ITEMS (TRADITIONAL CONTROL, WORK, PASSIVITY, DISTANCE, SUPPRESSION OF PROBLEMS, AND STAFF STATUS). A TOTAL OF 139 INCIDENTS OCCURRED DURING 105 SHIFTS. DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR WAS NOT RANDOM AMONG SHIFTS. ATTITUDES EXPRESSED BY STAFF MEMBERS WERE RELATED TO THE BEHAVIOR OF CHILDREN DURING THEIR SHIFTS. IT IS ARGUED THAT INCIDENT-PRONE STAFF MEMBERS BELIEVE DIFFICULT BEHAVIOR IS INTERNALLY CAUSED. SUPPORTING DATA AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. THE QUESTIONNAIRE IS NOT INCLUDED. (DEP)