title: Youth violence: an exploratory study of a treatment program in a central Illinois county.
abstract: A local treatment provider has developed an OPTIONS program to prevent adolescent aggression. The program is designed for youths who displayed threatening or abusive behaviors, particularly toward family members. This study described the characteristics of juveniles and their families who were referred to the program and if the program participation helped reduce the severity of violence and improve the communication skills among program participants. Referrals came from law enforcement, juvenile court services, school resource officers, and parents. Information on 100 juveniles and their families were provided by the counselors of the program. The findings showed that a large percentage of juveniles came from unstable families with a family history of criminal convictions, substance abuse, or mental illness. Program participants showed an improvement in communication skills and reduction in their levels of dangerousness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Criminal Justice Sciences Illinois State University Campus Box 5250 Normal, Illinois 61790-5250, USA.
authors.forename: Sesha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kethineni
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blimling
authors.forename: Julia Madden
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bozarth
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gaines
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D035846:Law Enforcement; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*