Effects of a Cognitive-Behavioral Program for At-Risk Youth: Changes in Attitudes, Social Skills, Family, and Community and Peer Relationships

• NCJ Number: 233487
• Journal: Victims & Offenders Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2011 Pages: 93-116
• Author(s): Sesha Kethineni; Jeremy Braithwaite
• Date Published: January 2011
• Length: 24 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated the ability of a cognitive-behavioral program for at-risk youth to improve the youths' attitudes, social skills, and family, community, and peer relationships.

Abstract

The study evaluated the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral program in assisting juvenile probationers to change their attitudes, improve social skills, develop positive family relationships, and improve community and peer relationships. A total of 86 medium- to high-risk juvenile probationers in the program were compared with a matched sample of 86 youths who did not participate in the program. Results showed that males in the program showed significant improvements in overall attitudes and family relationships compared to their nonprogram counterparts. The results provide support to existing research that cognitive-behavioral programs, when implemented correctly, show positive changes among high-risk youth. Tables and references (Published Abstract)