Diverting Youth From the Juvenile Justice System - A Meta-Analysis of Intervention Efficacy (From Youth Violence, P 39-57, 1986, Steven J Apter and Arnold P Goldstein, eds. - See NCJ-101447)

• NCJ Number: 101449
• Author(s): L K Gensheimer; J P Mayer; R Gottschalk; W S Davidson
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: Pergamon Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

To assess the efficacy of diversion practices with juvenile delinquents, an analysis was conducted of 44 studies undertaken between 1967 and 1983.

Abstract

Diversion clients in these studies typically were adjudicated male youths whose average age was 14.5 years. Interventions typically took place in community nonresidential settings; ranged in duration from 4 to 52 weeks; and used a variety of treatment modes, including group psychotherapy, casework/probation, behavioral interventions, and educational/vocational services. Overall, the analysis does not provide substantial evidence for the efficacy of diversion programs. Results from both ratings of effectiveness and from quantitative methods of analysis suggest that diversionary programs produce neither strong nor positive or negative effects on behavioral and attitudinal outcomes or recidivism. An analysis of moderator variables indicates that age was inversely related to the calculated mean effect size: the older the subject, the less likely the intervention would have a positive effect. Results are discussed with reference to methodological issues of sample selection, program specificity, and research design. Tables, 41 references, and 23 citations of analyzed studies.