A growing body of research has been dedicated to developing adolescent risk assessment instruments, but much of this research has been limited to short-term tests of predictive validity. The current study examined the predictive and incremental validity of the Youth Level of Service/ Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI), Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY), and Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV) in adolescent offenders over a mean 10-year follow-up period. Each instrument predicted general recidivism with moderate- (YLS/CMI area under the curve [AUC] = .66) -to-large effect sizes (SAVRY AUC = .74; PCL:YV AUC = .79). However, there was variation in predictive validity across types of recidivism, and all three instruments were better at predicting recidivism in males than females. SAVRY total also demonstrated incremental validity over its structured professional judgment of risk. Clinical implications and future directions for youth risk assessment are discussed.

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This study was conducted to clarify (1) the extent to which health beliefs selected from Protection Motivation Theory can combine to correctly classify 72 injecting drug users (IDUs) as condom users or non-users and (2) which of the beliefs ('vulnerability to a regular partner', 'vulnerability to a casual partner', 'self-efficacy', 'response efficacy', 'response costs' and 'social norms') were most influential in this distinction. Results of a logistic regression indicated that these beliefs were significant predictors of condom use. Overall, 83.3% of participants were correctly classified according to condom use, with condom 'non-users' being more accurately predicted (94.0%) than 'users' (59.1%). 'Vulnerability to a regular partner' and 'social norms' were significant multivariate and univariate predictors of condom use, and 'response costs' were significant univariate predictors. IDUs were confident of their ability to use condoms, considered themselves highly vulnerable to HIV infection from casual partners and were confident in the efficacy of condoms to protect them from AIDS. However, the majority of IDUs were not condom users, particularly with 'regular' partners. Findings suggest that HIV prevention programmes should target beliefs regarding risks from known partners, perceived norms and negative consequences of condom use in order to increase condom use by IDUs in treatment.

Background:  This study examined strategies youth therapists use to attempt to enhance their clients’ therapeutic homework completion. Method:  Thirty‐two youth mental health therapists participated. All participants completed a ‘Follow‐Through Strategy’ survey and 13 also participated in a semi‐structured interview. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed. Results:  On the survey, therapists reported using a broad range of strategies to attempt to enhance therapeutic homework completion. Interview results indicated participants emphasized strategies related to therapeutic engagement to attempt to enhance homework completion. Conclusions:  Future studies should employ prospective design and examine the differential and collective impact of strategies therapists described using.

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As a result of the varied and often persistent behavioral challenges of individuals With autism and pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) and the need for their families/ caregivers to receive information, training, and hands-on support, there Will be a continued demand for behavioral support services. This article provides information about an outpatient behavior management clinic for children With autism/PDD that used approaches based on the principles of applied behavior analysis. Parent training Was an integral part of services that Were provided. Data are presented on the characteristics and service needs of 52 children With autism/PDD Who Were referred to the clinic over a 2-year period. The majority of referrals Were for children betWeen the ages of 5 and 13 years, and externalizing behaviors Were identified as the primary concern most often by families. Implications of the findings for service planning and delivery are discussed.