The First-Time Offender Program for Juvenile Delinquents: A Biopsychosocial Approach to Assessing Outcomes

Abstract

This study was a program evaluation of a First-Time Offender Program for juvenile delinquents in a southwestern state. The study was theoretically based in the biopsychosocial model and utilizes a pre- and post-test design to assess participant changes in specific risk and protective factors associated with anti-social behavior and/or delinquent re-offense rates. The factors assessed included: non-severe pathology, behavior/conduct problems, and family relational functioning. Demographic information and pre- and post-test data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired samples T-tests. Multiple regression was used to explore the relationship between family relational functioning and youth pathology and behavior problems. The resulting sample for this study was small and the results should be interpreted cautiously. The findings provided partial support for the program's effectiveness at reducing non-severe pathology and behavior problems but not for improving family relationships. Analysis using multiple regression revealed that family relational functioning was predictive of non-severe pathology and behavior problems. Suggestions for improving the program and obstacles encountered during the evaluation process are discussed, as well as questions for future research, such as the effectiveness of the program with diverse populations of youth.