Effects of Behavioral/Cognitive-Behavioral Programs on Recidivism

• NCJ Number: 195805
• Journal: Crime & Delinquency Volume: 48 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2002 Pages: 476-496
• Author(s): Frank S. Pearson; Douglas S. Lipton; Charles M. Cleland; Dorline S. Yee
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 21 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01 DA08607
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article offers a meta-analysis of 69 research studies on correctional treatments in order to gauge the effectiveness of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatment programs on reducing recidivism among criminal offenders.

Abstract

The authors of this meta-analysis study examined 69 research studies to determine the effectiveness of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatment programs in reducing recidivism among criminal offenders. In 1994, the Correctional Drug Abuse Treatment Effectiveness (CDATE) project spent 4 years developing a comprehensive database containing information concerning correctional treatment evaluations studies that appeared in published and unpublished research reports between January 1, 1968, and December 31, 1996. While over 2,176 research reports were coded for this database, this article was concerned with the 69 programs that instituted behavioral or cognitive behavioral treatments. The hypothesis under investigation was that behavioral/cognitive-behavioral treatment programs were more effective in reducing recidivism than treatment-as-usual comparison programs. The types of behavioral treatment included in this study were standard behavior modification, contingency contracting, and token economy. Cognitive-behavioral treatment programs included social skills development training, problem solving skills training, cognitive skills training, thinking errors approach, social learning focused, self-control training, anger management training, and relapse prevention. Results of statistical analyses indicate that cognitive-behavioral treatment programs are significantly more effective at reducing recidivism rates when compared to treatment-as-usual programs. Especially effective treatments included cognitive-behavioral social skills development training and cognitive skills training. The authors conclude by calling for more research on cognitive-behavioral programs that look specifically at their programming and its effects. Tables, notes, and references