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Problem Profiles of at-Risk Youth in two Service Programs: A Multigroup Exploratory Latent Class Analysis

NCJ Number
237472
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 38 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2011 Pages: 988-1008
Author(s)
Richard Dembo; Rhissa Briones-Robinson; Rocio Aracelis Ungaro; Lora Karas; Laura M. Gulledge; Paul E. Greenbaum; James Schmeidler; Ken C. Winters; Steven Belenko
Date Published
October 2011
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study examined baseline data collected in two brief intervention projects (BI-Court and Truancy Project) used to assess similarities and differences in subgroups of at-risk youth.
Abstract
Baseline data collected in two brief intervention projects (BI-Court and Truancy Project) were used to assess similarities and differences in subgroups of at-risk youth. Classifications of these subgroups were based on their psychosocial characteristics (e.g., substance use). Multigroup latent class analysis identified two BI-Court subgroups of youth and three truant subgroups. These classes can be viewed as differing along two dimensions, substance use involvement and emotional and behavioral issues. Equality tests of means across the latent classes for BI-Court and Truancy Project youths found significant differences that were consistent with their problem group classification. These findings highlight the importance of quality assessments and allocating appropriate services on the basis of problem profiles of at-risk youth. (Published Abstract)