NCJ Number
74726
Date Published
1979
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The relationships between family characteristics and recidivism of juvenile offenders were examined in a study of 53 families referred to a diversionary project which used a short-term behavioral family intervention approach.
Abstract
Research efforts regarding the effectiveness of family counseling as a treatment for juvenile delinquents and recidivism as a predictive measure are reviewed. This experiment hypothesized that males from single parent, low income families would be most likely to re-enter the juvenile justice system and that variables relating to the diversionary process could mediate the relationship between family characteristics and recidivism. Local families were referred to the Family Counseling Program (FCP) located at the University of Virginia. Both status offenses and criminal offenses were involved. The mean age of the referred adolescents was 14.1 years. At an initial intake session, demographic data on the family were collected, along with information on relatives or friends who had helped the family. All family members completed the Moos Family Environment Scale, which indicates family interaction patterns. Adjustment of the family after therapy was measured by counselors' evaluations and families' self-reports. The following process variables were introduced into the analysis: type of offense, type of referral, ratio of sessions actually attended to those scheduled, and whether the family terminated therapy with or without the therapist's approval. Information from juvenile court records was used to construct a seven-point recidivism scale. Recidivism data were collected 2 to 17 months after termination. Both family and process variables were important in understanding juvenile recidivism, but a combination of both types was the most effective predictor. Male adolescents from single parent families were most likely to become recidivists, and these families tended to be poorer than two-parent families. Families with adolescents who had a high potential for recidivism did not use their social networks highly. Smaller families tended to have higher recidivism rates than larger ones. The most powerful predictor of recidivism was the therapist's rating of adjustment. Since the study found that youths who committed criminal offenses were most likely to recidivize, diversion programs like FCP should probably concentrate on status offenders. The finding that counseling tended to be most effective in lowering recidivism when families terminated with counselors' approval suggested that family therapy is a viable treatment approach. A bibliography of 16 references and statistical tables are appended.