Recidivism after treatment in a forensic youth-psychiatric setting: the effect of treatment characteristics.
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of treatment characteristics on recidivism in a forensic youth-psychiatric outpatient clinic. The treatment offered comprised functional family therapy (FFT), individual cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or CBT in combination with parent training. Some of the youth additionally participated in aggression replacement training (ART). FFT and ART were implemented as a trial version, meaning that most therapists had not received formal training yet. Treatment characteristics related to recidivism were length of treatment, type of treatment, number of sessions, and the therapist. The longer the period of treatment and the greater the number of sessions, the higher the recidivism, even after controlling for risk of recidivism based on static risk factors. Juveniles who participated in ART reoffended more often than juveniles who had not participated in such training. Given the fact that FFT and ART were not well-implemented trial versions, it can be concluded that poorly implemented treatment leads to poor outcomes.
Department of Forensic Child and Youth Care Sciences, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94208, 1090 GE Amsterdam, Netherlands. c.e.vanderput@uva.nl
Claudia E
CE
van der Put
Jessica J
JJ
Asscher
Geert Jan J M
GJ
Stams
Peter H
PH
van der Laan
Rene
R
Breuk
Erik
E
Jongman
Theo
T
Doreleijers
D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004505:Education, Nonprofessional / Q000379:methods; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009426:Netherlands; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D055815:Young Adult