Motivation of Juvenile Delinquents to Comply with Judicial Behavioral Interventions

• NCJ Number: 232099
• Author(s): Evi Verdonck; Emma Jaspaert
• Date Published: July 2009
• Length: 4 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Netherlands Ministry of Justice
• Sale Source: Leuven Institute of Criminology
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands

Annotation

Using a literature review, this Dutch study conducted an inventory of existing assessment instruments for juvenile delinquents that assess their level of motivation for participation and retention in treatment.

Abstract

The review focused on instruments that assess motivation of the client in a clinical and/or judicial setting. The literature review identified 27 such instruments. These instruments were assessed on reliability (internal consistency and inter-rater reliability), validity (content and predictive validity), as well as the availability of norms. This resulted in a classification of instruments into four categories: adequate instrument for decisions on an individual level, adequate instrument for further research, inadequate instrument, and an instrument whose adequacy is unclear due to a lack of information. Instruments determined to be adequate for decisions on the individual level are the Circumstances, Motivation, Readiness, and Suitability Scale (De Leon and Jainchill, 1986) and the Evaluation of Commitment for Treatment (Drieschner, 2005). The first scale is designed to assess motivation in a clinical setting for adults. The second instrument is a questionnaire that is used in an outpatient judicial setting for adults in which the level of the client's motivation is assessed by the social worker. Neither of these instruments has been used in judicial settings for adolescents. Twelve instruments were determined to be adequate for further research. Five are suited for use in a judicial setting for adolescents. This study recommends a future investment in the development of motivation assessment instrument for juveniles. Such instruments will facilitate clear and effective reporting to stakeholders, especially in contexts in which outcomes and process variables must be demonstrated. Also, the results of the motivation instruments can continuously stimulate attention for motivation during treatment. The results can supplement inadequate clinical observation, and the clinical monitoring can supplement the questionnaire.