| Description |
The primary goal of this study was to identify factors that predict the initial adjustment of boys to community-based correctional facilities. More specifically, our goal was to examine factors that (a) predict whether youth run from programs and (b) predict the quality of initial working alliance between youth and program staff Information regarding previous placement history, runaway history, severity of violence, antisocial personality traits, drug abuse, deviant peer influence, deviant beliefs, parent behavior, and staff-youth working alliance was collected from 71 youth, their parents, and their program staff. Results indicate that severity of violence and previous runaway history were predictive of runaway behavior. Furthermore, antisocial personality traits and parent rejection were found to predict the quality of working alliance between youth and program staff. Implications of the results will be discussed in terms of program development and youth treatment strategies. |
