Computerized Stage-Matched Intervention for Juvenile Offenders
| Status: | Active, not recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 13 - Any |
| Updated: | 4/21/2016 |
| Start Date: | August 2013 |
| End Date: | June 2016 |
Juvenile crime imposes enormous costs on victims, on society, and on juvenile offenders
themselves. However, research assessing the efficacy of interventions for young offenders
show, on average, only small effects on recidivism, substance abuse, and other behavioral
outcomes. A major problem with existing interventions is that they tend to neglect
individual differences in motivation and readiness to make positive changes. In earlier
research, we used an empirically validated model of behavior change, the Transtheoretical
Model (TTM, the "stage" model), and expert system technology to develop the Rise Above Your
Situation program (RAYS), a prototype of a multimedia computerized tailored intervention
designed as an adjunct to traditional juvenile justice programs. The intervention delivers
assessments and individualized feedback matched to readiness to stay out of trouble with the
law and quit alcohol and drugs. At the end each session the program also generates a
helpgiver report that summarizes the youth's feedback and presents concrete,
easy-to-implement strategies helpgivers can use to reinforce stage-matched concepts. In the
current research, the goals are to complete development of the computerized tailored
intervention; develop training and other support materials for helpgivers; and assess the
efficacy of the intervention package in a randomized clinical trial involving 700 medium- to
high-risk court-involved juveniles aged 13-17 recruited by 54 probation officers randomly
assigned to treatment or standard care. Primary outcomes will be criminal recidivism and
substance abuse abstinence at 6 and 12 months follow-up.
themselves. However, research assessing the efficacy of interventions for young offenders
show, on average, only small effects on recidivism, substance abuse, and other behavioral
outcomes. A major problem with existing interventions is that they tend to neglect
individual differences in motivation and readiness to make positive changes. In earlier
research, we used an empirically validated model of behavior change, the Transtheoretical
Model (TTM, the "stage" model), and expert system technology to develop the Rise Above Your
Situation program (RAYS), a prototype of a multimedia computerized tailored intervention
designed as an adjunct to traditional juvenile justice programs. The intervention delivers
assessments and individualized feedback matched to readiness to stay out of trouble with the
law and quit alcohol and drugs. At the end each session the program also generates a
helpgiver report that summarizes the youth's feedback and presents concrete,
easy-to-implement strategies helpgivers can use to reinforce stage-matched concepts. In the
current research, the goals are to complete development of the computerized tailored
intervention; develop training and other support materials for helpgivers; and assess the
efficacy of the intervention package in a randomized clinical trial involving 700 medium- to
high-risk court-involved juveniles aged 13-17 recruited by 54 probation officers randomly
assigned to treatment or standard care. Primary outcomes will be criminal recidivism and
substance abuse abstinence at 6 and 12 months follow-up.
Fifty-four probation officers employed by the Iowa's Juvenile Court Services agreed to
participate in the study and to be randomly assigned to treatment or standard care. A
Multiattribute Utility Measurement Approach (Graham, Flay, Johnson, Hansen, & Collins, 1984)
was used to ensure that probation officers assigned to the two conditions were approximately
equivalent on level of education, years of experience working with juvenile offenders,
number of hours of training on the TTM, and confidence using the TTM in their work.
Probation officers were responsible for recruiting moderate- and high-risk youth on
probation, and delivering baseline assessment sessions and intervention sessions. However,
local project site coordinators were available to provide assistance, as needed.
Computerized follow-up assessments and urine drug testing at 6 and 12 months follow-up are
being administered by "trackers" at a time and place that is convenient for the youth. Study
protocols include best practices (Scott, 2004) for maximizing retention at follow-up in
research involving high-risk populations.
participate in the study and to be randomly assigned to treatment or standard care. A
Multiattribute Utility Measurement Approach (Graham, Flay, Johnson, Hansen, & Collins, 1984)
was used to ensure that probation officers assigned to the two conditions were approximately
equivalent on level of education, years of experience working with juvenile offenders,
number of hours of training on the TTM, and confidence using the TTM in their work.
Probation officers were responsible for recruiting moderate- and high-risk youth on
probation, and delivering baseline assessment sessions and intervention sessions. However,
local project site coordinators were available to provide assistance, as needed.
Computerized follow-up assessments and urine drug testing at 6 and 12 months follow-up are
being administered by "trackers" at a time and place that is convenient for the youth. Study
protocols include best practices (Scott, 2004) for maximizing retention at follow-up in
research involving high-risk populations.
Inclusion Criteria:
Juvenile offenders:
- Score in the moderate- to high-risk range on the short-form Iowa Delinquency
Assessment
- Age 13 to 17 at the time of recruitment
- Able to understand and read English
Probation officers:
- Employed by Iowa Juvenile Court Services
- Work with moderate- to high-risk youth
We found this trial at
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