UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Coe, Mariah E.
Dept./Program:
Psychology
Year:
2004
Degree:
Ph. D.
Abstract:
In providing mental health and social services to youth with severe levels of challenge, there is an increasing need to assess not only the areas where an adolescent is experiencing problems, but to identify the behavioral and emotional strengths that will help the person overcome those challenges and change problem behaviors. Knowledge of adolescents' strengths is of particular importance in planning interventions for youth who experience severe emotional and behavioral disturbance (EBD) and are at risk of being removed from the home or have already been placed in foster care. Current state and federal policies include the imperative that strengths be considered when developing treatment plans for youth with EBD. Research, however, has lagged behind public policy. Although there is a growing body of literature in resilience, or how strengths help individuals from initial instances of at-risk behavior, there is little current research on the role of strengths in adjustment of youth who have already engaged in at-risk behaviors and have high overall levels of problem, or "high-risk" behavior. The current study investigated strengths of 52 adolescents currently receiving therapeutic case management services within the Vermont system of care. Services employed either a Wraparound approach or a standard approach.
Strengths were examined both cross-sectionally and longitudinally by gender, by presence of a trusted adult, and in comparison to high-risk and problem behaviors. In particular, the study examined how strengths at entrance into the study played a role in high-risk and problem behavior at six-month follow-up. The hypothesis that adolescents would show no differences in strengths or adjustment by gender was partially supported. The presence of a trusted adult was most related to lowered Public Externalizing behaviors, as well as to increased youth participation in community activities. Adolescents with higher levels of interpersonal, intrapersonal, and affective strengths showed lower rates of high-risk and problem behaviors after six months, with youth receiving Wraparound services showing the greatest reduction in challenging behaviors compared to youth receiving the standard of care. Youth in Wraparound also showed a significantly higher increase in strengths over six months compared to the group with standard care.
Strengths were examined both cross-sectionally and longitudinally by gender, by presence of a trusted adult, and in comparison to high-risk and problem behaviors. In particular, the study examined how strengths at entrance into the study played a role in high-risk and problem behavior at six-month follow-up. The hypothesis that adolescents would show no differences in strengths or adjustment by gender was partially supported. The presence of a trusted adult was most related to lowered Public Externalizing behaviors, as well as to increased youth participation in community activities. Adolescents with higher levels of interpersonal, intrapersonal, and affective strengths showed lower rates of high-risk and problem behaviors after six months, with youth receiving Wraparound services showing the greatest reduction in challenging behaviors compared to youth receiving the standard of care. Youth in Wraparound also showed a significantly higher increase in strengths over six months compared to the group with standard care.