Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Adolescence is the developmental stage between childhood and adulthood. This indicates a growth process the goal of which is maturity. This growth process is regarded as a turbulent phase as there are various adolescent developmental tasks to be mastered that bring about certain challenges. These challenges have resulted in youths engaging in risk-taking behaviour, such as antisocial behaviour and committing crime. Several factors or social problems in South Africa lead to the vulnerability of youths, which leads to crime. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perspectives of probation officers regarding the contribution of diversion programmes for male juvenile offenders to prevent re-offending. The research was done on the basis of an extensive literature review, which focused on the nature and extent of youth crime, the legal points of departure of the Child Justice Act (75 of 2008) and diversion programmes to prevent re-offending. A combined quantitative and qualitative research approach and an exploratory and descriptive research design was utilized in this study because the researcher wanted to develop a better understanding of the social problem or phenomenon and the perspectives of probation officers with respect to the contribution of diversion programmes for male juvenile offenders, as well as the factors that lead to re-offending in South Africa. The respondents consisted of all probation officers employed by government organizations in the Eden-Karoo Region who have the necessary knowledge and experience regarding the topic. A purposive, non-probability sampling was used. Data were gathered through a semi-structured questionnaire in 20 separate interviews. The composition of the questionnaire was based on the information obtained from the literature review. Based on the results arising from the literature and empirical research, appropriate conclusions and recommendations were made. The results were largely confirmed by the literature review, namely that diversion programmes contribute to the prevention of re-offending if correctly implemented, that significant resources in the intervention should be involved and follow-up care and monitoring after the programmes or interventions must take place. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Adolessensie is die ontwikkelingstadium tussen die kinderjare en volwassenheid. Dit dui op ’n groeiproses waarvan die doelwit volwassenheid is. Hierdie groeiproses word beskou as ’n stormagtige fase aangesien die adolessent verskeie ontwikkelingstake moet bemeester wat sekere uitdagings meebring. Die uitdagings het tot gevolg dat die jeugdiges riskante gedrag toon, soos antisosiale optrede en die pleeg van misdaad. Verskeie faktore of maatskaplike probleme in Suid-Afrika lei daartoe dat jeugdiges kwesbaar is en betrokke raak by misdaad. Die doel van hierdie studie is om ondersoek te doen na die sieninge van proefbeamptes rakende die bydrae van afwentelingsprogramme vir manlike jeugoortreders om hermisdaadpleging te voorkom. Die ondersoek is gedoen aan die hand van ’n uitgebreide literatuurstudie, wat gefokus het op die aard en omvang van jeugmisdaad, die wetlike vertrekpunte van die Wet op Kindergeregtigheid (75 van 2008) en afwentelingsprogramme vir die voorkoming van hermisdaadpleging. ’n Gekombineerde kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering en ’n verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerp is in hierdie studie benut, omdat die navorser ’n beter begrip wou verkry van die maatskaplike probleem of fenomeen en die sieninge van proefbeamptes met betrekking tot die bydrae van afwentelingsprogramme vir manlike jeugoortreders. Die faktore wat aanleiding gee tot hermisdaadpleging in Suid-Afrika word ook verken. Die universum bestaan uit alle proefbeamptes werksaam by regeringsorganisasies in die Eden-Karoo Streek wat oor die nodige kennis en ervaring van die onderwerp beskik. ʼn Doelbewuste, nie-waarskynlikheid-steekproeftrekking is benut. Gegewens is ingewin deur middel van ’n semi-gestruktureerde vraelys in twintig afsonderlike onderhoude. Die samestelling van die onderhoudskedule is gegrond op die inligting wat uit die literatuuroorsig verkry is. Op grond van die resultate voortspruitend uit die literatuurstudie en empiriese ondersoek, kon toepaslike gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings gemaak word. Die resultate het grotendeels die literatuuroorsig bevestig, naamlik dat afwentelingsprogramme bydra tot die voorkoming van hermisdaadpleging indien dit korrek geïmplementeer word, dat betekenisvolle hulpbronne in die intervensieproses betrek moet word en dat nasorg en monitering na afloop van die programme of maatskaplike intervensies moet geskied.

Many youth are able to be successful in the traditional school setting. Large numbers are not successful. Dropout rates are alarming. There is little research that examines the drop out problem from the perspective of the youth. Traditionally programs that are designed to help have been designed by adults. This qualitative study focused on the voices of youth. Participants in this study were male clients aged fifteen to seventeen who were adjudicated and court mandated to receive treatment in a drug treatment center. All of the participants had a history of delinquency and poor academic achievement. They had dropped out of school prior to entering the treatment program. This qualitative study addressed two questions: 1. What are the factors that prevent at-risk youth from being successful in school? 2. What can schools do to help these youth be successful at school? This study provided information about what schools could have done to help these youth be more successful. It also looked at their current academic success in the treatment program as a possible model to help other youth. Five youth volunteered to participate in the study. All interviews were confidential. Interviews were also conducted with a probation officer, program administrator, teacher, and a parent that had a youth in the program in order to triangulate results. The voices of students supported the literature with respect to the factors that contribute to students being at risk for delinquency and dropping out of school. Some of these factors include issues surrounding anger management, academic issues, nurturing at school, family situations, school at a treatment center, hiring teachers, childhood experiences, drug use, obtaining drugs, crime and drugs, treatment programs, dual diagnosis, communication and issues surrounding success and failure. The strength of this qualitative research project lies in the fact that the real voices of students did support the quantitative literature in this field. / Graduation date: 2004

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Capella University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-118) and abstract.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2006. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-113). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The positive relationship between physical activity and recreation and a reduction in risk factors for youth has extensive historical roots. The definition of youth in an at-risk context has evolved over the years and may be conceptualized on a continuum ranging from low risk to chronic deviance. Many factors predispose youth to behavioural risk factors. These predisposing factors include variables related to the individual (self), family, peers, school, and community. The current situation in Namibia suggests that there is need for concern about youth in an at-risk context, and that efforts to minimize risk factors for youth will provide diverse personal and social benefits. Strategies involving physical activity and recreation appear particularly promising in minimizing risk factors for youth. Physical activity and recreational participation can provide positive benefits related to psychological health, physical health, familial interaction, peer influence, academic performance, community development, and other lifestyle behaviours. The documentation supporting the enormous potential of physical activity and recreational programmes to positively influence youth in an at-risk context cannot be ignored. The 305 participants in the survey and the 35 participants from the Physically Active Youth (PAY) Group provided invaluable input into this research. All participants provided unique insight. Throughout the research it became increasingly apparent that there is incredible potential for physical activity initiatives to positively impact on youth in an at-risk context. Physical activity can help youth in an at-risk context by improving self-esteem, providing positive role models, teaching teamwork and social skills, promoting self-confidence, providing a sense of belonging. reducing risk factors for disease, giving youth something constructive to do, providing a means of releasing stress, promoting positive morals and values, teaching cognitive, leadership and life skills, providing a sense of community, fostering family support, and promoting the wellness of youth. At the end of the PAY pilot project all learners showed remarkable increases in their fitness levels, their attitudes changed towards being more positive and the programme showed a passing rate of 91%. Many organizations are currently providing programmes or services that directly or indirectly impact on youth in an at-risk context. There was a general consensus that these efforts is in need of government policy that will result in better coordination of such programmes. Successful programmes need to have youth spearheading the initiative. Programmes also need to be flexible, accommodating, inexpensive (or free), with good leadership and community support. Programmes directed towards youth in an at-risk context should be non-threatening, emphasizing participation, and not competition. The research evidence suggest that there is a need to empower marginalized youth, provide good leadership, establish parental support, provide increased government support, develop partnerships, create youth centres, reform current programming initiatives to reflect the needs of youth in an at-risk context, and continue research are some of the primary concerns. The need to approach youth in an at-risk context issues holistically was also a pervasive attitude. Physical activity and recreation can provide both prevention and intervention functions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die positiewe verhouding tussen liggaamlike aktiwiteit en ontspanning en 'n afname in risikofaktore vir die jeug het 'n omvangryke geskiedenis. Die definisie van jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks het oor die jare heen ontwikkel en kan gekonseptualiseer word op 'n kontinuum wat van laerisiko- tot chroniese afwyking strek. Daar is baie faktore wat die jeug vatbaar maak vir risiko ten opsigte van gedrag. Hierdie predisponerende faktore sluit veranderlikes in wat verband hou met die individu (self), die gesin, die portuurgroep, die skool en die gemeenskap. In die huidige situasie in Namibië is daar aanduidings dat daar rede vir kommer is wat betref jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks, en dat pogings om risikofaktore vir die jeug te minimaliseer baie voordeel inhou, op persoonlike sowel as sosiale vlak. Dit blyk dat strategieë wat liggaamlike aktiwiteit en deelname in ontspanningsbedrywighede insluit, veel kan bydra om risikofaktore vir die jeug te minimaliseer. Liggaamlike aktiwiteit en deelname aan ontspanningsbedrywighede kan bydra tot die bevordering van die geestes- en liggaamlike gesondheid, gesinsinteraksie, invloed van die portuurgroep, akademiese prestasie, gemeenskapsontwikkeling, asook ander vorme van lewenstylgedrag van jongmense. Die dokumentasie oor die geweldige potensiaal wat liggaamlike aktiwiteit en ontspanningsprogramme het om die jeug op 'n positiewe wyse te beïnvloed, mag nie misken word nie. Die 305 deelnemers aan die ondersoek, en die 35 deelnemers van die Liggaamlikaktiewe Groep (Engels: Physically Active Youth Group oftewel PAY Group) het waardevolle insette tot hierdie navorsing gemaak. Elke deelnemer het 'n unieke insig bygedra. Namate daar met die navorsing gevorder is, het dit toenemend duidelik geword dat daar 'n ongelooflike potensiaal bestaan vir inisiatiewe vir liggaamlike aktiwiteite om 'n positiewe uitwerking te hê op jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks. Liggaamlike aktiwiteit kan jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks help deur hul gevoel van eiewaarde te verhoog, positiewe rolmodelle te verskaf, vir hulle spanwerk en sosiale vaardighede aan te leer, hul selfvertroue te bevorder, hulle te laat voel dat hulle êrens behoort, risikofaktore vir siekte te verminder, hulle iets opbouends te gee om hulle mee besig te hou, 'n manier te bied waarop hulle van stres ontslae kan raak, positiewe sedes en waardes te leer, kognitiewe, leierskaps- en lewensvaardighede te leer. 'n gemeenskapsbewustheid te kweek, gesinsondersteuning te bevorder, en ook hulle algemene welstand te bevorder. Aan die einde van die PAY-projek het al die leerders 'n merkwaardige verhoging in hul fiksheidsvlakke getoon, en was hulle houding baie meer positief. Die program het 'n slaagsyfer van 91% gehad. Daar is tans baie organisasies wat programme of dienste aanbied wat direk óf indirek 'n invloed het op jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks. Daar was eenstemmigheid dat hierdie poging op regeringsbeleid moet kan steun wat tot beter koordinering van sodanige programme sal lei. In suksesvolle programme moet jeugdiges aan die voorpunt van die inisiatiewe wees. Programme behoort soepel en aanpasbaar te wees, hulle moet óf bekostigbaar óf gratis wees, en daar moet sterk leierskap en gemeenskapsondersteuning wees. Programme wat op jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks gerig is moet deelnemers nie bedreig laat voel nie, en behoort deelname eerder as wedywering te beklemtoon. Die navorsing het bewys dat daar 'n behoefte is om gemarginaliseerde jeugdiges te bemagtig, om goeie leierskap daar te stel, om ouerondersteuning te vestig, om verhoogde regeringsondersteuning te verskaf, om vennootskappe te ontwikkel, om jeugsentrums te skep, om huidige programinisiatiewe te omskep sodat hulle die behoeftes van jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks weerspieël, en om met navorsing voort te gaan. Hierdie is sommige van die primêre sake wat aandag vereis. 'n Houding wat deurgaans voorgekom het, was die noodsaaklikheid daarvan om kwessies rakende jeugdiges binne 'n risiko-konteks holisties te benader. Liggamlike aktiwiteit en ontspanning' kan beide voorkomings- en intervensiefunksies bied.

Research with adolescence demonstrates school involvement and attachment greatly influences students' outcomes and choices outside of their school environment. Many studies have addressed whether delinquent behavior while in adolescence is associated with various aspects of schooling, but there is limited research looking at the long-term effects schooling has on criminal behavior in adulthood. The purpose of this study was to assess whether students' attachment to their school or involvement in extracurricular activities at school shapes students' outcomes in adulthood--specifically their criminality and likelihood of being arrested. In addition, this study took on a gendered relationship, examining how gender moderates the associations between attachment and adult crime, and involvement and adult crime. The study took a quantitative approach using Waves 1 and 4 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Findings indicate that a students' attachment to school is negatively associated with the likelihood of being arrested as an adult. In addition, the likelihood of adult criminal behavior is negatively associated with students' school involvement. Lastly, in this study I found that gender acts as a moderating mechanism between attachment and criminality, as well as sports involvement and arrested as an adult. Thus, this research adds to the established field, which has demonstrated how school involvement and attachment improve outcomes in adolescence, by showing that these positive experiences impact downstream outcomes such as criminal behavior in adulthood.

Individuals presenting with high levels of psychopathy demonstrate chronic and severe antisocial behavior and poor treatment outcomes in response to generalized rehabilitative programs. Recent research has examined the relationship between delinquency in child/adolescent populations and subsequent psychopathy. Focusing on community based/referred population of at-risk youth, this study developed and examined the effectiveness of an 18-session, psychopathy-focused, group CBT treatment program. The study incorporated treatment (n = 34) and usual-care comparison (n = 30) groups and a brief follow up period. Treatment outcomes examined measures of psychopathy, anger, impulsivity, motivation for treatment, self-reported problems, and indices of behavior. The treatment program demonstrated reductions in psychopathy on the Interpersonal (d = .55) and Affective facets (d = .24) of the PCL:YV. It also reduced overall impulsivity and improved anger suppression and treatment motivation, particularly among youth presenting with higher levels (relative to this study) of psychopathy. As a result of treatment, decreased incidents with the juvenile justice system were also observed, both during the treatment period and at six weeks follow-up. This study provides an initial empirical foundation for the ongoing development of targeted interventions for youth demonstrating psychopathic traits.

This study explores the relationship between parenting and adolescent outcomes within the context of healthy adolescent development. A motivational model of development provides a framework for understanding adolescent and parent behaviors. Participants in the study were 4,090 students in grade 8-12. Students' self-reported behaviors and perceptions of their parents' behaviors were collected as part of a statewide school survey. The study contributes to the understanding of parenting dimensions that underlie parenting styles through the identification of six parenting dimensions (warmth, structure, autonomy support, rejection, chaos, and coercion) that correspond to the motivational model. In addition, monitoring is identified as a seventh dimension of parenting and found to have an important influence on adolescent behaviors and outcomes. Further, it is demonstrated that parenting dimensions combine to form a set of seven parent types that are deferentially associated with adolescent outcomes and problem behaviors. Means on positive adolescent outcomes (academic competence, commitment to school, social competence, self-worth, and mastery), substance use, and problem behaviors suggested an ordering of parent types. Adolescents with authoritative parents experienced the best outcomes followed by warm authoritarian, permissive, authoritarian, mediocre, rejecting, and indifferent parents. This study also sought to understand the effects of alcohol and marijuana use on adolescent competence. Consistent with other studies that have noted detrimental effects of early alcohol and marijuana use, this study indicated that for 8th graders, any trial of alcohol or marijuana was associated with significantly (p< .01) lower levels of overall competence. For grades 9-10, triers of alcohol were not significantly less competent than nonusers. For grades 11-12, triers of alcohol and triers of marijuana were not significantly less competent than nonusers. These findings partially support Baumrind’s (1991) findings. A search for differences in parenting that might distinguish between triers and more frequent users of alcohol and marijuana indicated that parental monitoring of adolescents was higher among triers than among more frequent users. A third aim of this study was to better understand the mechanisms through which protective factors influence problem behaviors. Findings indicated that parental warmth moderates the relationship between risk factors and problem behaviors.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisor: Roger Kobak, Dept. of Psychology. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-130). Also available on the Internet.