Computerized Stage-Matched Intervention for Juvenile Offenders
- Conditions
- Substance AbuseDelinquency
- Interventions
- Behavioral: RAYS Intervention
- Registration Number
- NCT02023827
- Lead Sponsor
- Pro-Change Behavior Systems
- Brief Summary
Juvenile crime imposes enormous costs on victims, on society, and on juvenile offenders themselves. However, research assessing the efficacy of interventions for young offenders show, on average, only small effects on recidivism, substance abuse, and other behavioral outcomes. A major problem with existing interventions is that they tend to neglect individual differences in motivation and readiness to make positive changes. In earlier research, we used an empirically validated model of behavior change, the Transtheoretical Model (TTM, the "stage" model), and expert system technology to develop the Rise Above Your Situation program (RAYS), a prototype of a multimedia computerized tailored intervention designed as an adjunct to traditional juvenile justice programs. The intervention delivers assessments and individualized feedback matched to readiness to stay out of trouble with the law and quit alcohol and drugs. At the end each session the program also generates a helpgiver report that summarizes the youth's feedback and presents concrete, easy-to-implement strategies helpgivers can use to reinforce stage-matched concepts. In the current research, the goals are to complete development of the computerized tailored intervention; develop training and other support materials for helpgivers; and assess the efficacy of the intervention package in a randomized clinical trial involving 700 medium- to high-risk court-involved juveniles aged 13-17 recruited by 54 probation officers randomly assigned to treatment or standard care. Primary outcomes will be criminal recidivism and substance abuse abstinence at 6 and 12 months follow-up.
- Detailed Description
Fifty-four probation officers employed by the Iowa's Juvenile Court Services agreed to participate in the study and to be randomly assigned to treatment or standard care. A Multiattribute Utility Measurement Approach (Graham, Flay, Johnson, Hansen, \& Collins, 1984) was used to ensure that probation officers assigned to the two conditions were approximately equivalent on level of education, years of experience working with juvenile offenders, number of hours of training on the TTM, and confidence using the TTM in their work.
Probation officers were responsible for recruiting moderate- and high-risk youth on probation, and delivering baseline assessment sessions and intervention sessions. However, local project site coordinators were available to provide assistance, as needed.
Computerized follow-up assessments and urine drug testing at 6 and 12 months follow-up are being administered by "trackers" at a time and place that is convenient for the youth. Study protocols include best practices (Scott, 2004) for maximizing retention at follow-up in research involving high-risk populations.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- UNKNOWN
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 1000
Juvenile offenders:
- Score in the moderate- to high-risk range on the short-form Iowa Delinquency Assessment
- Age 13 to 17 at the time of recruitment
- Able to understand and read English
Probation officers:
- Employed by Iowa Juvenile Court Services
- Work with moderate- to high-risk youth
Not provided
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description RAYS intervention RAYS Intervention In addition to standard care, participants receive three monthly online RAYS sessions, each followed by a one-on-one discussion with the probation officer
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Criminal recidivism based on self-report 12 months follow-up Assessed using the General Crime Scale (GCS) of the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN)
Criminal recidivism based on official records 12 months follow-up Data will be provided by the Iowa Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning (CJJP)
Substance use abstinence based on self-report 12 months follow-up Among youth who screened positive for substance abuse and/or dependence at baseline, assessed using the Substance Frequency Scale (SFS) from the GAIN
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Total count of criminal behavior based on self-report 12 months follow-up Assessed using the General Crime Scale (GCS) of the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN)
Stage of change for staying out of trouble with the law 12 months follow-up Assessed using a self-report Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM) stage of change measure developed by the PI
Emotional distress 12 months follow-up Assessed using the 5-item Internalizing Disorder Screener (IDScr) of the GAIN Short Screener
Substance use frequency 12 months follow-up Among youth who screened positive for substance abuse and/or dependence at baseline, assessed using the Substance Frequency Scale (SFS) from the GAIN
Substance-related problems 12 months follow-up Among youth who screened positive for substance abuse and/or dependence at baseline, assessed using the Substance Problem Scale (SPS) from the GAIN
Stage of change for quitting alcohol and drugs 12 months follow-up Among youth who screened positive for substance abuse and/or dependence at baseline, assessed using a self-report Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM) stage of change measure developed by the PI
Abstinence confirmed by urine drug testing 12 months follow-up Among youth who screened positive for substance abuse and/or dependence at baseline
Trial Locations
- Locations (5)
Iowa Juvenile Court Services, District 7
🇺🇸Davenport, Iowa, United States
Iowa Juvenile Court Services, District 6
🇺🇸Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
Iowa Juvenile Court Services, District 3
🇺🇸Sioux City, Iowa, United States
Iowa Juvenile Court Services, District 5
🇺🇸Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Iowa Juvenile Court Services, District 1
🇺🇸Waterloo, Iowa, United States