NCJ Number
79262
Journal
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry Volume: 26 Issue: 5 Dated: (August 1981) Pages: 357-364
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Evaluative studies of conventional treatments available for antisocial adolescents are reviewed, and policy implications are discussed.
Abstract
Studies involving casework, individual psychotherapy, behavior modification, group counseling, family therapy, milieu therapy, and therapeutic community are discussed. Findings show that, in general, these treatments are inadequate for the rehabilitation needs of adolescents with conduct disorders. The possibility is raised that the unsatisfactory results with current treatment approaches may be due to the belief that antisocial behavior is a sickness rather than a lack of proper socialization. Social learning theory is then examined as a conceptual foundation for teaching social norms. A number of studies are cited to show the effectiveness of programs based social learning theory. Success has also been achieved with antisocial adolescents in a program emphasizing both employment and behaviors appropriate to employment. The impact of evaluative studies on clinical practice is reported as minimal. Some possible reasons for this are that appropriate clinical personnel are not aware of the evaluative studies or do not trust the reliability of the results. Efforts are needed to reduce the gap between clinical practice and evaluative results. The dramatic increase in antisocial adolescent behavior is shown through statistics that outline the increase in juvenile crime in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Other tabular data and 39 references are also provided. (Author abstract modified)