![[Israel] Benbenishty, R., Zeira, A., Melkman, E., & Refaeli, T. (2014). School climate expectations educational plans and needs of adolescents in Israeli youth villages. EUSARF 2014](https://static.fdocuments.in/doc/165x107/55ab13c01a28ab1f698b4870/israel-benbenishty-r-zeira-a-melkman-e-refaeli-t-2014-school-climate-expectations-educational-plans-and-needs-of-adolescents-in-israeli-youth-villages-eusarf-2014.jpg)
Eran Melkman, Tehila Refaeli, Batya Bibi, & Rami Benbenishty Bar-Ilan University, Israel Sponsored...
19
Readiness for Independent Living among Youth on the Verge of Leaving Juvenile Correctional Facilities Eran Melkman, Tehila Refaeli, Batya Bibi , & Rami Benbenishty Bar-Ilan University, Israel Sponsored by the Schnitzer Foundation for Research on the Israeli Economy and Society, Bar-Ilan University
-
Upload
tracy-stephens -
Category
Documents
-
view
216 -
download
2
Transcript of Eran Melkman, Tehila Refaeli, Batya Bibi, & Rami Benbenishty Bar-Ilan University, Israel Sponsored...
Readiness for Independent Living among Youth on the
Verge of Leaving Juvenile Correctional Facilities
Eran Melkman, Tehila Refaeli, Batya Bibi , &Rami Benbenishty
Bar-Ilan University, Israel
Sponsored by the Schnitzer Foundation for Research on the Israeli Economy and Society, Bar-Ilan University
Adverse personal background
High levels of emotional and
behavioral problems
Repeated criminal activity
Youth Characteristics
Judicial or welfare system
Offending and at-risk youth
Authoritarian and rehabilitative
approaches
Juvenile Correctional Facilities (JCFs)
Multiple tasks (e.g. housing,
employment, finances)
Limited support
Poor outcomes: High rates of recidivism Low rates of employment and education
Reentering Society andTransitioning to Adulthood
How ready are youth for independent living
on the verge of leaving care?
The ability to provide for one’s needs, to feel comfortable with himself, and be satisfied with relationships with significant others (Maluccio, Krieger, & Pine, 1990)
Tangible skills- finances, occupation, housing
Intangible skills- communication, relationships, decision making
Readiness for Independent Living
Benbenishty & Zeira, 2008 Staff reports regarding152 adolescents
in JCFs Findings: 10% will complete matriculation diploma 50% will not be able to avoid negative
peers
Readiness for Independent Living in JCFs
1. Assess youths’ level of readiness for independent living as perceived by themselves
2. Examine predicting factors: Gender Social support: family, staff, peers
Research Goals
Sample: 116 adolescents (57.8% boys) from 25
correctional facilities. Attempt to survey all
relevant youth (response rate of 58%)
Structured self-report questionnaires:
Readiness for Independent Living
(Benbenishty & Schiff, 2009; Benbenishty &
Zeira, 2008; 26 items)
MOS social support scale (Sherbourne &
Stewart, 1991; 30 items)
Method
Youth’s level of readiness (Mean)
Health
Relationships
Household Maintenance
Employment
Normative Behavior
Higher Education
Housing
33.13.23.33.43.53.63.7
3.65
3.65
3.63
3.48
3.45
3.36
3.23
Scale: 1 = not at all thru 4 = to a large extent
Readiness for Independent LivingYouth-Staff Comparison
(Benbenishty & Zeira, 2008)
Avoid negative peers
Search for accommodation
Manage household shopping
Healthy romantic relationship
Persist in job
Practice safe sex
Avoid criminal activity
0102030405060708090100
90.2
83
86.5
96.4
96.4
96.7
91.9
48.6
46
54
65.3
70.7
72
78
Staff Youth
Youth in foster and residential care report
lower levels of readiness
Juvenile delinquents’ ‘Calculational errors’
(Hirschi, 1969)
Extreme gaps between actual and desired
reality- may pose a threat to future
adjustment
High readiness- Actual or Desired?
Gender Effects
* p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001.
Overall Readiness
Education
Employment
Health
Relationships
Normative Behavior
Housing
Household Maintenance
.00.501.001.502.002.503.003.504.00
3.58**
3.38
3.55
3.72
3.73*
3.56*
3.35*
3.77***
3.37
3.33
3.39
3.55
3.54
3.30
3.07
3.44
FemaleMale
Offending girls in JCFs- a unique group with special needs
Higher levels of emotional and behavioral disorders than males
Few interventions focused on this group After a substantial period of
rehabilitative care in JCFs the gender gaps persist
Gender Effects
Overall Readiness
Social Support
0.12 Mother support
0.15 Father support
0.25 Other relative
support
0.44*** Peer support
0.26** Staff support
Social Support
* p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001.
Key role of support networks within the institutions (peers and staff)
Protective role of peers despite hazards of negative peer influence within JCFs
Importance of staff support within authoritarian guided services
Families may not provide ample support, but to them youth return upon termination of care
Social Support
Low attrition rate (58%)
Youths’ self-reports at one point in
time
Limitations and Directions for Future Research
Reentry preparation and planning while youth
are still in care
Gender sensitive programs
Encourage belief in abilities
Assist juvenile offenders to accurately
delineate and prepare for the challenges lying
ahead
Staff training focused on transition to
independent living and the skills required
Conclusions
