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Evaluating the Cognitive and Behavioral Outcomes of Incarcerated Adolescent Females Receiving Substance Abuse Treatment: A Pilot Study

NCJ Number
227134
Journal
Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: 2009 Pages: 157-171
Author(s)
Amelia C. Roberts-Lewis; Sharon Parker; Chiquitia Welch; Ariana Wall; Pam Wiggins
Date Published
2009
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study examined a cognitive-behavioral approach to change the behavioral and cognitive skills of incarcerated girls participating in a substance abuse treatment program.
Abstract
Findings reveal that a cognitive-behavioral approach appears to be a promising method in changing and improving the cognitive skills and behaviors of female juvenile offenders over the course of treatment. The improvements in behavioral and cognitive skills cannot be attributed wholly to a cognitive-behavioral approach because the program used, the Holistic Enrichment for At-Risk Teens (HEART) Program, is a multifaceted program comprised of multiple treatment approaches. Findings demonstrated that the behavior and cognitive skills of participants improved significantly over the course of treatment. However, no statistically significant improvements in the observed behaviors of overt and relational aggression over the course of treatment were found. It is not clear what specific factors might have influenced the behaviors and cognitive changes of the participants. The participants possessed high skill levels or had minimal problems in these two behaviors prior to receiving the intervention. No statistically significant improvements in the goal-setting and problem-solving skills of participants over the course of treatment were observed. Data were collected from 34 girls diagnosed with substance abuse or substance dependence who participated in the HEART program between August 2002 and April 2005. Tables, figures, and references