Negative peer involvement in multisystemic therapy for the treatment of youth problem behavior: exploring outcome and process variables in "real-world" practice.
Associating with a negative peer group is related to involvement in problem behavior, yet very little research has considered the role of negative peer group affiliations in the context of "real-world" community-based treatments for problem behavior. This study examined the effects of negative peer involvement on case closure status and treatment characteristics in a large sample (N = 1,341) of adolescents (M age = 15.3 years, SD = 1.5 years) enrolled in Multisystemic Therapy services. Data were drawn from the clinical records of a nonprofit youth and family services provider. Findings suggest that negative peer involvement is significantly related to treatment failure, particularly when negative peer involvement is comprised of gang affiliation.
Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Newark NJ 07102, USA. pboxer@psychology.rutgers.edu
Paul
P
Boxer
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010379:Peer Group