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Testing a Model of the Influence of Family Problem Factors on High-Risk Youths' Troubled Behavior: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study

NCJ Number
182912
Journal
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs Volume: 32 Issue: 1 Dated: January-March 2000 Pages: 55-65
Author(s)
Richard Dembo Ph.D.; Werner Wothke Ph.D.; William Seeberger B.S.; Marina Shemwell B.A.; Kimberly Pacheco B.A.; Matthew Rollie B.S.; James Schmeidler Ph.D.; Laine Klein B.A.; Amy Hartsfield B.A.; Stephen Livingston B.A.
Date Published
2000
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Using data collected in a study of arrested youths processed at a juvenile assessment center who entered a home-based family intervention project, the authors tested a three-stage longitudinal model.
Abstract
The structural model examined is a developmental damage model of high-risk youths' troubled behavior over time. The measurement model represents the youths' history of family alcohol abuse; other drug and mental health problems; family contact with the justice system; and their sexual victimization, physical abuse, and neglect experiences. The data reported in this article were for youth who entered the Youth Support Project during the period from September 1, 1994, through January 31, 1997, who completed both Year 2 (Time 2a) and Year 3 (Time 3) interviews. A discriminant analysis compared the 164 reinterviewees with the other 36 youths in the study. The two groups were compared on 31 initial interview characteristics, including demographic factors, family member problems, abuse, alcohol and substance use, and delinquency. The longitudinal model of the hypothesized relationship between the youths' family problems and their own problem behavior was consistently supported by the data. These results suggest that the current theoretical, research, and service delivery focus on family problem factors be strengthened. 2 tables, 3 figures, and 54 references