NCJ Number
79337
Date Published
Unknown
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Methodology and findings are presented from a Canadian study that measured the effectiveness of a behavior modification training program for parents of hardcore delinquents.
Abstract
For the purpose of the study, a 'hardcore' delinquent was a persistent offender likely to be transferred to adult court. Ten parents and their children were assigned to the experimental group and 10 to the control group. Subjects in both groups were matched on sex, age, and demographic criteria. The experimental group was reduced to seven and the control group to six before the completion of the study. With some group instruction and individual assistance from advisors, parents in the experimental group developed programs to modify behaviors of their delinquent children and other family members, as well as their own. Parents in the experimental group were paid $5 per week for participating and $2 per week for improved parenting. Five types of data were collected in an attempt to measure the outcomes of the training sessions: behavioral coding data, the Walker Problem Behavior Identification Checklist, parent observation data, officially recorded offenses, and parent knowledge of behavior management. The comparison between the pretesting and posttesting showed statistically significant differences between the groups. In a number of instances, the parents in the experimental group changed a series of targeted behaviors of their delinquent children. Generally, the changed behaviors were maintained after monetary reinforcement was withdrawn. Parents learned to notice appropriate behaviors and to reinforce them socially. On the basis of this and other studies, it is reasonable to assume that training parents in techniques of social learning will result in improved parenting. Tabular data and 19 references are provided.