Self-Control as a Predictor of Relapse and Recidivism in Adolescent Therapeutic Community Treatment

Abstract

Despite the effectiveness of Therapeutic Communities (TCs), empirical studies of TCs are mostly atheoretical. In this study, concepts related to Gottfredson and Hirschi's General Theory of Crime were used to predict posttreatment delinquency among adolescents. Using data collected as part of Drug Abuse Treatment Outcomes Studies–-Adolescents (1993–1996), this study examined whether characteristics associated with low self-control predicted posttreatment substance use and posttreatment crime (N = 727). Contrary to the hypotheses, characteristics associated with low self-control had no relationship with posttreatment delinquency. Although these findings do not support the hypothesis, this study begins the process of linking criminological theory to adolescent TC treatment research. The study's limitations are noted.

RÉSUMÉ

Contrôle de soi comme un prédicateur de rechute et récidivisme dans communautés thérapeutique traitement adolescent

Malgré l'efficacité de communautés thérapeutiques (CTs), études empiriques de CTs sont presque athéoriques. Dans cette étude, les concepts reliés à la théorie du crime de Gottfredson et Hirschi ont utilisé pour prédire la délinquance post-traitement chez les adolescents. En utilisent données recueillies dans le cadre de DATOS-A (1993–1996), cette étude a étudié si les caractéristiques associées au contrôle de soi basse prédit l'usage de substances post-traitement et le crime post-traitement (N = 727). Contrairement aux hypothèses, les caractéristiques associées au contrôle de soi basse n'ont pas eu un rapport avec la délinquance post-traitement. Bien que ces conclusions ne confirment pas l'hypothèse, cette étude commence le processus à lier la théorie criminologique à recherche de CT traitement adolescent.

RESUMEN

Autocontrol como Pronostico de la Recaída y Reincidencia en el Tratamiento de Comunidades Terapéutica en Adolescentes

A pesar de la efectividad de las Comunidades Terapéuticas (TCs), estudios empíricos de las TCs son en su gran mayoría ante teóricos. En este estudio, conceptos relacionados con la Teoría General del Crimen de Gottfredson y Hirschi fueron usados para pronosticar el tratamiento posterior a delitos entre adolescentes. Utilizando información obtenida como parte de DATOS-A (1993–1996), este estudio examina si las características asociadas con el bajo autocontrol pronostican el tratamiento posterior al uso de substancias y el tratamiento posterior al crimen (N = 727). Contrariamente a la hipótesis, las características asociadas con el bajo autocontrol no tenían relación alguna al tratamiento posterior a delitos. Auque estos hallazgos no apoyan la hipótesis,este estudio inicia el proceso de enlace entre la teoría criminológica y la investigación de TC en adolescentes.

Keywords :

• adolescent
• self-control
• therapeutic communities
• TCs

Notes

2 In addition, preliminary factor analysis was done and was part of the decision-making process for which items were included in each composite.

3 The reader is reminded that the concepts of “risk factors,” as well as “protective factors,” are often noted in the literature, without adequately noting their dimensions (linear, nonlinear; rates of development; anchoring or integration, cessation, etc.), their “demands,” the critical necessary conditions (endogenously as well as exogenously; from a micro to a meso to a macro level) which are necessary for either of them to operate (begin, continue, become anchored and integrate, change as de facto realities change, cease, etc.) or not to and whether their underpinnings are theory-driven, empirically based, individual and/or systemic stake holder-bound, based upon “principles of faith,” historical observation, precedents and traditions that accumulate over time, perceptual and judgmental constraints, “transient public opinion,” or whatsoever. This is necessary to consider and to clarify if these terms are not to remain as yet additional shibboleth in a field of many stereotypes, tradition-driven activities, “principles of faith,” and stakeholder objectives. Editor's note

4 As a preliminary step to determine whether HLM was necessary for the current study, an unconditional model (omitting any predictors) was computed to test for significant within- and between-program variations for each of the outcome measures. A chi-square test was used to determine whether significant variation existed. In the event that there were no significant variations between programs on the outcomes, HLM would no longer be necessary. Instead of HLM, each of the outcome variables could be regressed against the predictor variables using a series of Ordinary Least Squares regression models when the outcome was ordinally scaled (e.g., drug use), and logistic regression when the outcome was dichotomous (e.g., crime). Included in each of these models would be (A-1) dummy-coded design where A = program variables that would serve as controls.

5 A possible concern of examining multiple hypotheses simultaneously is the chance of a type I error. In the case of this study, five outcome variables are being tested simultaneously (i.e., posttreatment property crime, posttreatment violent crime, posttreatment alcohol use, posttreatment marijuana use, and posttreatment other drug use). This may increase the odds that one of these five models will falsely reject the null hypothesis. To avoid a lot of spurious positives, the α value should be lowered to account for the number of comparisons being performed. The Bonferroni correction does this by dividing the α by the number of outcomes (α/no. outcomes). This ensures that the overall chance of making a type I error across the analysis is still less than 0.05. For all models, the interpretation of the chi-square test in the ANOVA models and the coefficients added in as predictors in the partial and full models with the Bonferroni correction.