Serious Delinquent Behavior as Part of a Significantly Handicapping Condition: Cures and Supportive Environments

• NCJ Number: 110466
• Journal: Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1987) Pages: 347-359
• Author(s): M M Wolf; C J Braukmann; K A Ramp
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Serious delinquent behavior often may be part of a significantly disabling and durable condition that may be altered by long-term treatment.

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that serious delinquent behavior may be part of a disabling condition consisting of multiple antisocial and dysfunctional behaviors that run in families and eludes effective short-term treatment. Like other significant disabilities such as retardation, autism, and blindness, the effects may be a function of an interaction of environmental and constitutional variables. A realistic treatment goal may be extended supportive and socializing treatment rather than permanent cure from conventional short-term treatment programs. This article explores the dimensions, rationales, logistics, and beginnings of a new treatment direction that involves long-term supportive family treatment. Such supportive families may be able to provide long, perhaps even lifetime, socializing influences through models, values, and contingencies that seem essential for developing and maintaining prosocial behavior in these high-risk youths. (Author abstract modified)