Family Interventions with Incarcerated Youth: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Juvenile delinquency is a widespread societal problem threatening the well-being of families and communities throughout the country. In 1997, approximately 125,000 juveniles were incarcerated in public and private residential facilities as a result of a law violation. The rearrest rate for juveniles illustrates the need to develop effective interventions for incarcerated youth and their families. Although treatments focusing on the family as a unit may be more effective than individual treatment with delinquent youth, it is often difficult to involve families in the treatment process while juvenile offenders are incarcerated. This article discusses familial influences on delinquent and antisocial behavior, provides a review and critique of the literature related to family intervention models for juvenile offenders, and discusses treatment dilemmas in working with incarcerated juvenile offenders. A pilot project comparing the effectiveness of a conjoint family intervention and a systemic individual intervention with incarcerated youth is described with preliminary results.

Effectiveness of a Multiple Family Group Intervention for Juvenile First Offenders in Reducing Parent Stress

“…Parents of children referred for severe antisocial behavior maintained treatment gains in the way of reduced parent stress at one year following a parent management training group (Kazdin, Siegel, & Bass, 1993). Research on multifamily group therapy with juvenile offenders has proven to be the most effective intervention in affecting reduction of recidivism and improving family and youth functioning (Borduin et al, 1995;Hollin, 1999;Perkins-Dock, 2001). …”

Service Approaches for Youths Who Commit Sexual Crimes: A Call for Family-Oriented Models

“…This work has long documented that there is a reduction in delinquent behaviors (measured by rearrests, recidivism, and truancy) when family therapy is used as a modality (Tolan, Cromwell, & Brasswell, 1986). Compared to individual treatment, family treatment has been shown to be more effective (Perkins-Dock, 2001). A recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials revealed that youths were less likely to spend time in juvenile detention and be re-arrested 1 to 3 years after treatment as a result of family interventions (Woolfenden, Williams, & Peat, 2009).…”

HIV-Related Sexual Risk among African American Men Preceding Incarceration: Associations with Support from Significant Others, Family, and Friends

“…Support from family members, including parents, aunts, and children, has also demonstrated importance [20,21,[30][31][32]. For example, Muñoz-Laboy et al highlighted the role of family in protecting against depression, a consistent HIV risk factor, among formerly incarcerated Latino men [14,21,33].…”