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GROUP HOME FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS - PRACTICE AND RESEARCH

NCJ Number
52930
Author(s)
J L TAYLOR; J L SINGER; H GOLDSTEIN; M O TSALTAS; E KASOWSKI
Date Published
1976
Length
140 pages
Annotation
THE TREATMENT ORIENTATION, GOALS, AND METHODS OF A GROUP HOME OPERATED BY A VOLUNTARY CHILDREN'S AGENCY ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE HOME IS EVALUATED IN TERMS OF OUTCOMES FOR 24 CLIENTS.
Abstract
THE GIRLS' RESIDENCE IS OPERATED BY THE ASSOCIATION FOR JEWISH CHILDREN, AN AGENCY THAT SPECIALIZES IN SERVICES TO DISORGANIZED FAMILIES AND DISTURBED CHILDREN IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF PHILADELPHIA, PA. THE GIRLS' RESIDENCE OPENED IN AUGUST 1959 WITH A CAPACITY FOR SEVEN RESIDENTS. ITS CLIENTS ARE GIRLS AGED 13 TO 16 WHO NEED A MAXIMUM OF CASEWORK SERVICE, REGULAR PSYCHIATRIC HELP, AND THE BENEFITS OF THERAPEUTIC GROUP LIVING--ALL IN A COMMUNITY SETTING. MOST OF THE GIRLS REFERRED TO THE HOME AS A LAST RESORT, AND MANY HAVE HAD PRIOR PLACEMENTS IN FOSTER HOMES, INSTITUTIONS, OR MENTAL HOSPITALS. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO HELP THE GIRLS REALIZE TWO GOALS--SELF-RESPECT AND THE ABILITY TO LOVE--AS ADULTS. THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE TREATMENT PROGRAM ARE THE COMMUNITY SETTING, CASEWORK AND CHILD-CARE SERVICES (INCLUDING COUNSELING FOR THE GIRLS' PARENTS), PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES (INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY AND GROUP THERAPY), EDUCATION AND CAREER GUIDANCE, A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, A RELIGION PROGRAM, AND GROUP LIVING. THE PROGRAM IS EVALUATED IN TERMS OF OUTCOMES FOR 24 OF THE 28 GIRLS WHO HAD COMPLETED STAYS AT THE GIRLS' RESIDENCE FROM ITS OPENING THROUGH 1969. INDEPENDENT JUDGES RATED EACH GIRL ON THE BASIS OF DATA GATHERED UPON ADMISSION TO THE HOME AND IN FOLLOWUP INTERVIEWS. INTAKE SCORES, FOLLOWUP (ACTUAL OUTCOME) SCORES, AND PREDICTED OUTCOME (WITH AND WITHOUT INTERVENTION) SCORES ARE CALCULATED FOR FIVE DIMENSIONS--JOB OR SCHOOL ADEQUACY, ADJUSTMENT TO GENERAL DAILY LIVING, PEER RELATIONSHIPS (MALE AND FEMALE), AND SELF-ATTITUDE--AND FOR TOTAL ADJUSTMENT. THE FINDINGS SUGGEST THAT THE CLIENTS, WHO BEGAN WITH EXTREMELY LIMITED EMOTIONAL, PERSONAL, AND/OR SOCIAL RESOURCES, WERE MAKING THEIR WAY IN THE WORLD FAIRLY EFFECTIVELY. FEW WERE DEPENDENT ON WELFARE OR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. COMPARED WITH WHAT HAD BEEN PREDICTED FOR THEM IN THE ABSENCE OF INTERVENTION, THE GIRLS WERE FUNCTIONING EFFECTIVELY AND HAD ACHIEVED REASONABLE INDEPENDENCE. DURING THE FOLLOWUP INTERVIEWS, THE GIRLS WERE ALSO ASKED ABOUT THEIR MEMORIES OF THE HOME. THEIR COMMENTS INDICATED THAT, FOR MANY, THE GROUP HOME PROVIDED THE FIRST EXPERIENCE IN LIVING IN AN ORGANIZED, PHYSICALLY ATTRACTIVE HOME IN A DECENT COMMUNITY. IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS FOR PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY THAT MORE MALES SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE HOME'S ESSENTIALLY ALL-FEMALE ENVIRONMENT. (FOLLOWUP DATA REVEALED A HIGH INCIDENCE OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION AMONG FORMER RESIDENTS). SUPPORTING DATA, DETAILS OF EVALUATION METHODS, AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.