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Date: November 22, 2024 Fri

Time: 12:23 pm

Results for problem-solving skills

2 results found

Author: Bickle, Gayle

Title: An Intermediate Outcome Evaluation of the Thinking for a Change Program

Summary: The research literature on effective offender programming shows that cognitive behavioral programming creates larger reductions in recidivism than other types of offender programming. In light of this evidence, the ODRC adopted the Thinking for a Change (TFAC) program. In 2009, the department encouraged every prison to implement the TFAC program. The program teaches problem-solving skills, particularly when interacting with others, in order to increase rational thinking and lead to pro-social interactions and behaviors. In addition, through cognitive restructuring (aka, cognitive self-change), thought processes are modified to reduce thinking patterns that are conducive to criminal behavior, i.e., antisocial attitudes. This evaluation uses a quasi-experimental, non-random, two group pre-test post-test design, and it explores intermediate outcomes that examine whether the program has influenced participant's self-assessment of their social problem-solving skills and approaches and their acceptance of criminal attitudes. The Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R) and the Texas Christian University Criminal Thinking Scales (CTS) were used to measure these components of the program. The findings are as follows: -Analyzing the SPSI-R data using GLMM (Generalized Linear Mixed Modeling), we find that, compared to a waiting list comparison group, TFAC group completers do significantly better than their comparison group counterparts on every measure, including positive problem orientation, negative problem orientation, rational problem solving and associated subscales (problem definition and formulation, generation of alternative solutions, decision making, solution implementation and verification), impulsivity/carelessness style, and avoidance style. Moreover, the level of significance of these findings indicates that TFAC does impact participants- understanding of social problem solving skills and approaches. Analyzing the TCU-CTS data using GLMM, we find that TFAC group completers do significantly better (p<.001) than their comparison group counterparts on all but one criminal thinking scale (measuring coldheartedness). The scales where TFAC completers do significantly better include entitlement, justification, power orientation, criminal rationality, personal irresponsibility, and the total criminal thinking score. The findings indicate that TFAC participants appear to reduce (or at least not increase) their acceptance of criminal attitudes when compared to non-participants. -Interaction effects were found between risk level and TFAC group participants on the SPSI-R survey, indicating the following: -Higher risk treatment group members showed significantly more improvement than those in the lower risk comparison group on all but one scale (avoidance style), including positive problem orientation, negative problem orientation, rational problem solving and associated subscales (problem definition and formulation, generation of alternative solutions, decision making, solution implementation and verification), and impulsivity/carelessness style. Lower risk treatment group members showed significantly more improvement on all of the scales than their lower risk comparison counterparts.

Details: Columbus, OH: Ohio Dept. of Rehabilitation and Correction. Bureau of Research and Evaluation, 2014. 34p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 21, 2015 at: http://www.drc.ohio.gov/web/Reports/Eval_ThinkingforaChange.pdf

Year: 2014

Country: United States

URL: http://www.drc.ohio.gov/web/Reports/Eval_ThinkingforaChange.pdf

Shelf Number: 135331

Keywords:
Behavior Modification
Cognitive Skills Training
Correctional Programs
Offender Rehabilitation (Ohio)
Problem-Solving Skills
Treatment Programs

Author: Smith-Moncrieffe, Donna

Title: Evaluation Summary: Final Results - Stop Now and Plan (SNAP)

Summary: Stop Now And Plan (SNAP) is a community-based program for children ages 6 to 12 who have come into contact, or are at risk of coming into contact, with the criminal justice system, and/or who display early signs of anti-social or aggressive behaviour. The program uses a cognitive-behavioural, multi-component approach to decrease the risks of children engaging in future delinquent behaviour. The SNAP model is based on a comprehensive framework for effctively teaching children with serious behavioural problems, emotional regulation, self-control and problem-solving skills. The core program components include the children's and parent's groups. The SNAP Boys and SNAP Girls offer 12-week gender-specific groups that teach emotion regulation, self-control and problem-solving skills. The concurrent SNAP Parent Group teaches parents effective child management strategies. Other program components include individual counselling/mentoring, family counselling, academic tutoring, youth leadership and a gender-specific component called "Girls Growing Up Healthy". These are recommended based on a continuing assessment of the child's risk and need levels. Although there is evidence regarding the effectiveness of SNAP in Canadian and United States contexts (within accredited mental health centres and community based settings), a further evaluation was conducted to assess the impact the program in a variety of other community-based organizations across Canada (i.e., youth justice, mentoring, and Aboriginal reserves). This summary provides an overview of the multi-site impact evaluation of SNAP that was funded by the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS). The multisite impact evaluation assessed the efficacy of this program in three unique communities (Toronto, Edmonton and Cree Nation - Quebec), contributing to the collective body of knowledge of what works in crime prevention.

Details: Ottawa: Public Safety Canada, 2015. 18p.

Source: Internet Resource: Research Report: 2015-R017: Accessed March 22, 2016 at: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/2015-r017/2015-r017-en.pdf

Year: 2015

Country: Canada

URL: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/2015-r017/2015-r017-en.pdf

Shelf Number: 138380

Keywords:
Anti-Social Behavior
At-Risk Youth
Cognitive-Behavioral Program
Community-Based Programs
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Delinquency Prevention
Problem-Solving Skills