Youth offending is an issue that receives attention at many levels, and which crosses the already broad domains of justice, education, mental health and social services. The role of parents in the development of antisocial behaviour, and their responsibilities with regard to addressing the consequences of this, are controversial. This article reviews a selection of interventions for managing teenage behaviour, and specifically criminal offending. A trend emerges from this review whereby the most effective treatments for young offenders are those that achieve change within the family system, not just the young person. The current study examined the effect of implementing Group Teen Triple P, one of a suite of well established and effective behavioural parent training programmes, with the parents of teenagers who had been recently involved in offending. The group was a collaborative partnership between Presbyterian Support, a non-government organization, and Child, Youth and Family Services, the national, statutory provider of care and protection and youth justice services. The six participating families had previously been involved with one or both of these agencies. Participants completed questionnaires and interviews at three data collection points, and the researcher also took part in aspects of the intervention. The results indicate positive changes within some of the participating families, but are inconsistent due to the drop-out rate and the reluctance of participating parents to consistently implement the skills and strategies learned. This unexpected but nevertheless important finding necessitated further consideration of the reasons why it occurred, and these are discussed in the context of earlier research into variables which influence attendance and adherence to parent training interventions. This study offers insights into the provision of behavioural parent training programmes with vulnerable, fragile or high-risk families.

This dissertation focused on the topic of youth violence in two very different populations, young workers and youth offenders. Youth violence at the home, in school and in the community has been well documented in the literature but very little is known about the prevalence of and risk factors for victimization at the workplace in young workers. In chapter two, a retrospective cohort study was conducted using National Crime Victimization Survey data from 2008–2012. We calculated a rate of workplace violence victimization and compared those rates between occupations and demographic characteristics in young workers 16–24 years. Multilevel, weighted Poisson regression models were used to compare rates of workplace victimization across occupations and demographic characteristics. The rate of workplace violence victimization was 1.11 (95% CI: 0.95–1.27) incidents per 1,000 employed person-months. Young workers in retail sales occupations had a higher rate of workplace victimization than workers in health care occupations (RR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.26–1.03) but a lower rate of workplace victimization than workers in protective service occupations (RR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.34–3.77). Rates of workplace violence victimization differed significantly by age, income and workplace location. In contrast, the prevalence of and risk factors for juvenile offender are well-known. However, there still exist major gaps in determining the effectiveness of tertiary interventions, justice-based processes (i.e. formal appearance in court vs. informal agreement or meeting with court officer) and placement (e.g. detention centers, foster care, mental health institutions). In chapters three and four, the effectiveness of justice-based processes and placement on recidivism in young offenders 12–16.5 years were evaluated using data received from the Iowa Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning Agency (CJJP) from 2010–2013. Multivariable logistic regression was used to impute risk level scores, to calculate propensity scores and to measure associations between demographic or complaint characteristics and main exposures. A sensitivity analysis was conducted by comparing the associations between process type and recidivism in a sample matched on propensity scores to the original unmatched sample. Cox Proportional Hazards models were used to compare time to recidivism by process type or placement in matched and unmatched samples. In chapter three, out of 2,901 youth offenders, 41% recidivated over an 18-month period. Eighteen percent were formally processed while 82% received an informal agreement. Youth who received an informal agreement had a lower risk of reoffending at any time compared to youth who were formally processed in both the unmatched (HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.76–1.13) and matched sample (HR= 0.86, 95% CI: 0.65–1.14). These estimates were not statistically significant. We observed an offense-specific association between processing and recidivism. Property (HR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.57–0.96) offenders who received an informal agreement were significantly less likely to recidivate compared to property offenders who were formally processed. In chapter four, out of 1,469 youth offenders, 36% recidivated over an 18-month period. Nine percent received placement while 91% did not. Youth who received placement had up to an 87% higher risk of reoffending at any time compared to youth who did not receive placement in both unmatched (HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.11–2.08) and matched (HR= 1.87, 95% CI: 1.23–2.84) samples. We observed a charge-specific association between receiving placement and recidivism. Youth charged with a simple misdemeanor (HR = 2.74; 95% CI: 1.63–4.60) or other charges (HR = 6.60, 95% CI: 1.56–28.00) and received placement were significantly more likely to recidivate compared to those who did not receive placement. These findings contribute to the youth violence literature in the following ways. Chapter two identified the occupations and target populations in need of policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at improving the working conditions for young workers. Chapter three and four supports the continual evaluation of the juvenile justice system to determine the best practices that may reduce violence and recidivism in young offenders.

Thesis (MPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Rising crime rates among the youth in South Africa is a major problem. In the Western Cape this concern is particularly urgent and is compounded by issues relating to gangsterism and drugs. This study analyses why youth offenders, based at Lindelani become involved in crime and how they subsequently see their future. The first part of the study reviews theories of crime and deviance, such as the classical school of criminology, psychological, biological and sociological explanations of crime. The usefulness of the criminological developmentalist approach toward identifying risk factors statistically correlated to the perpetration of crime is discussed. Common factors associated with crime in the South African context are identified including family, peers, gang, drug, school, media and neighbourhood related factors as well as the absence of spirituality. Thereafter the literature associated with the development of aspirations, life goals and the concept of possible selves is explained. The relationship between possible selves, aspirations and life goals are discussed and details regarding how possible selves influence delinquency are presented. Following the theoretical analysis, the problem of crime in South Africa with reference to the youths interviewed is outlined. The strategies pursued by government to combat crime are discussed and the effective potential of these approaches are evaluated. An overview of government’s policy toward youth in South Africa is given followed by specific reference to the issues surrounding youth and crime in the Western Cape, with explicit reference to the Cape Flats and gangs. This provides the background to the Lindelani case study. An overview of the operations and challenges facing Lindelani Place of Safety and the profile of offences typically committed by youth are given. Hereafter the findings are presented. The findings are divided into two sections; the first explores the life world of youth at Lindelani by discussing why youth in the Western Cape perpetrate crime and identifies factors that are associated with their involvement. The findings report on the influence of family and household structure, peers, neighbourhood environment, gangs, drugs, school, media, perceived aptitude of youth offenders, role models and spirituality. Section two presents the findings regarding the possible selves, life goals and aspirations of the youth. The general aspirations, possible selves, family aspirations, friendship, neighbourhood, spiritual, educational and occupational aspirations are explored. The study thereby presents the voices of these young offenders.

<p>The purpose with this essay has been to describe and understand why youth community service became a penalty in Sweden. The political discourse in which youth community service was established has been analyzed with Laclau & Mouffe´s discourse theory. A social constructivist onset and a discourse analysis were the methodological tools of the essay. The result is two folded. Youth community service was created to strengthen the constitutional state, combined with high beliefs of the social services competence. Furthermore the images of the youth offenders had an impact on the argumentation, as well as an ambition to keep the youths outside of the correctional treatment system. The evaluation ten years later showed good results from the new penalty, and wanted to increase the legal security for the youth offenders by making youth community service prescribed by law. The content as well as the intended group the penalty was designed for, has been changed a lot since 1997 when the idea was born.</p>

The purpose with this essay has been to describe and understand why youth community service became a penalty in Sweden. The political discourse in which youth community service was established has been analyzed with Laclau &amp; Mouffe´s discourse theory. A social constructivist onset and a discourse analysis were the methodological tools of the essay. The result is two folded. Youth community service was created to strengthen the constitutional state, combined with high beliefs of the social services competence. Furthermore the images of the youth offenders had an impact on the argumentation, as well as an ambition to keep the youths outside of the correctional treatment system. The evaluation ten years later showed good results from the new penalty, and wanted to increase the legal security for the youth offenders by making youth community service prescribed by law. The content as well as the intended group the penalty was designed for, has been changed a lot since 1997 when the idea was born.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Texas, May, 2007. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

Cette étude vise à comprendre la place du sentiment d’impuissance de l’intervenant dans l’établissement d’une alliance thérapeutique. La perception des intervenants à l’égard du sentiment d’impuissance et les conséquences possibles qu’ils lui reconnaissent sont analysées. Par les moyens développés par les intervenants pour contrer ce sentiment d’impuissance, des pistes de solutions sont proposées. Par une méthodologie qualitative, vingt-cinq entrevues semi-dirigées ont été réalisées dans le cadre de la recherche «L’identification des interventions qui permettent de bâtir une alliance thérapeutique avec les jeunes contrevenants : un enjeu de première importance» du professeur Louis-Georges Cournoyer de l’École de criminologie de l’Université de Montréal. Elles constituent les données principales de la présente étude. Un groupe de discussion, réalisé en milieu communautaire, a permis de les compléter. Les ruptures d’alliance thérapeutique constituent un contexte favorable au développement du sentiment d’impuissance de l’intervenant, conditionnellement au soutien de l’équipe et à la perception qu’à l’intervenant de son rôle et de son contrôle. Le sentiment d’impuissance peut mener à une remise en question positive. Toutefois, il peut aussi être à l’origine du développement de l’impuissance apprise, qui se traduit par les déficits cognitif, motivationnel et affectif. Parmi les autres conséquences du sentiment d’impuissance, une lutte s’exprime par l’évitement, l’expression de la colère et le contrôle, qui ne sont pas souhaitables en contexte d’intervention. En misant sur le soutien de l’équipe ainsi que sur la perception des intervenants à l’égard de leur rôle et de leur contrôle, il est possible de prévenir et de contrer le sentiment d’impuissance. / This study aims at understanding feelings of powerlessness of the helper and its place in the development of the therapeutic alliance with youths. The workers perceptions about the feeling of powerlessness and the possible consequences it has on their practice are analyzed. A number of solutions are proposed, based on strategies developed by workers. With a qualitative methodology, the twenty-five interviews from the research «Alliance building interventions with youth offenders», conducted by Louis-Georges Cournoyer, professor at the University of Montreal’s School of Criminology, are used. In order to complete this data, a focus group was held with community workers. The therapeutic alliance ruptures, who is mediated by team’s support and worker’s self-perceived role and control, can engender the feeling of powerlesness. This feeling might lead to a positive self-questioning. However, it might also lead to the development of learned helplessness, which manifest itself by cognitive, motivational and affective deficits. Among the other consequences of the feeling of powerlesness, is a struggle that is expressed by withdrawal, anger and control, whom are not suitable in an intervention context. By focusing on the team’s support and on the self-perceived role and control of the worker, it is possible to prevent and counter the feeling of powerlessness.

Cette étude vise à comprendre la place du sentiment d’impuissance de l’intervenant dans l’établissement d’une alliance thérapeutique. La perception des intervenants à l’égard du sentiment d’impuissance et les conséquences possibles qu’ils lui reconnaissent sont analysées. Par les moyens développés par les intervenants pour contrer ce sentiment d’impuissance, des pistes de solutions sont proposées. Par une méthodologie qualitative, vingt-cinq entrevues semi-dirigées ont été réalisées dans le cadre de la recherche «L’identification des interventions qui permettent de bâtir une alliance thérapeutique avec les jeunes contrevenants : un enjeu de première importance» du professeur Louis-Georges Cournoyer de l’École de criminologie de l’Université de Montréal. Elles constituent les données principales de la présente étude. Un groupe de discussion, réalisé en milieu communautaire, a permis de les compléter. Les ruptures d’alliance thérapeutique constituent un contexte favorable au développement du sentiment d’impuissance de l’intervenant, conditionnellement au soutien de l’équipe et à la perception qu’à l’intervenant de son rôle et de son contrôle. Le sentiment d’impuissance peut mener à une remise en question positive. Toutefois, il peut aussi être à l’origine du développement de l’impuissance apprise, qui se traduit par les déficits cognitif, motivationnel et affectif. Parmi les autres conséquences du sentiment d’impuissance, une lutte s’exprime par l’évitement, l’expression de la colère et le contrôle, qui ne sont pas souhaitables en contexte d’intervention. En misant sur le soutien de l’équipe ainsi que sur la perception des intervenants à l’égard de leur rôle et de leur contrôle, il est possible de prévenir et de contrer le sentiment d’impuissance. / This study aims at understanding feelings of powerlessness of the helper and its place in the development of the therapeutic alliance with youths. The workers perceptions about the feeling of powerlessness and the possible consequences it has on their practice are analyzed. A number of solutions are proposed, based on strategies developed by workers. With a qualitative methodology, the twenty-five interviews from the research «Alliance building interventions with youth offenders», conducted by Louis-Georges Cournoyer, professor at the University of Montreal’s School of Criminology, are used. In order to complete this data, a focus group was held with community workers. The therapeutic alliance ruptures, who is mediated by team’s support and worker’s self-perceived role and control, can engender the feeling of powerlesness. This feeling might lead to a positive self-questioning. However, it might also lead to the development of learned helplessness, which manifest itself by cognitive, motivational and affective deficits. Among the other consequences of the feeling of powerlesness, is a struggle that is expressed by withdrawal, anger and control, whom are not suitable in an intervention context. By focusing on the team’s support and on the self-perceived role and control of the worker, it is possible to prevent and counter the feeling of powerlessness.

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Bakgrund: Brottsmedling i brottsmål som involverar unga lagöverträdare är en viktig del av rättsväsendet och av socialt arbete. Medlingen, som är en del av filosofin reparativ rättvisa ämnar vara till nytta för både gärningsman och offer. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka vilka huvudteman som går att identifiera i tidigare forskning inom ämnet. Metod: En scoping review version litteraturstudie med tematisk analys användes som metod för att svara på syftet. Sökningar utfördes i databasen Primo. Tio studier valdes ut. De valda artiklarna kvalitetsgranskades och analyserades enligt teman. Resultat: Intresset bland brottsoffer för att delta i medling är stort och medlingen kan vara en mycket viktig del i offrets rehabiliteringsprocess. Många brottsoffer har positiva upplevelser av medlingsförfarandet och dess effekter, men upplever även besvikelse på processen och dess resultat är vanligt förekommande hos deltagande brottsoffer. Att få en ursäkt av sin gärningsman är för merparten av brottsoffren som deltar i medling mycket viktigt. Ursäkten är även viktig för gärningsmannen och förhoppningar om förlåtelse från sitt offer är vanligt bland gärningsmännen. Förlåtelse är tillsammans med andra aspekter påverkande på huruvida medlingsprocessen skapar minskad på återfallsförbrytelse för dessa gärningsmän. Medlaren har en mycket viktig roll i medlingsprocessen och påverkar alla aspekter av hur den fortskrider samt vad den resulterar i. Slutsats: Medlingsprocessen är viktig för de individer som erbjuds att delta och har potential att påverka ett brottsoffers rehabilitering samt en gärningsmans framtida sociala beteende och kriminella bana / Background: Victim offender mediation in criminal cases involving youth offenders is an important part of the judiciary and of social work. Mediation, which is part of the philosophy of reparative justice, intends to benefit both the perpetrator and the victim. It also strives to promote recidivism and prosocial behavior of the perpetrator. Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate which main themes can be identified in previous research on the subject. Method: A scoping review approach of literature study with applied thematic analysis was used as a method to answer the purpose. Searches were performed in the database Primo. Ten studies were selected. The selected articles were quality reviewed and analyzed according to the themes. Result: The interest among crime victims in participating in mediation is large and mediation can be a very important part of the victim's rehabilitation process. Many victims have positive experiences of the mediation process and its effects, but also experience of disappointment in the process and its results are common among the victims. Receiving an apology from your perpetrator is very important for most victims who participate in mediation. The apology is also important to the perpetrator and hope of forgiveness from one’s victim is common among the perpetrators. Forgiveness, together with other aspects, affects whether the mediation process creates a reduction in recidivism for these perpetrators. The mediator has a very important role in the mediation process and affects all aspects of how it progresses and what it results in. Conclusion: The mediation process is important for the individuals who participate and has the potential to influence a victim's rehabilitation and a perpetrator's future social behavior and criminal path.