Intervention outcomes for girls referred from juvenile justice: effects on delinquency

J Consult Clin Psychol. 2005 Dec;73(6):1181-5. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.73.6.1181.

Abstract

An increasing number of girls are entering the juvenile justice system. However, intervention programs for delinquent girls have not been examined empirically. The authors examined the 12-month outcomes of a randomized intervention trial for girls with chronic delinquency (N = 81). Girls were randomly assigned into an experimental condition (Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care; MTFC) or a control condition (group care; GC). Analyses of covariance indicated that MTFC youth had a significantly greater reduction in the number of days spent in locked settings and in caregiver-reported delinquency and had 42% fewer criminal referrals than GC youth (a trend) at the 12-month follow-up. Implications for reducing girls' chronic delinquency are discussed.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Foster Home Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Juvenile Delinquency* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Juvenile Delinquency* / prevention & control
  • Juvenile Delinquency* / statistics & numerical data
  • Oregon
  • Referral and Consultation*