NCJ Number
172407
Journal
Journal for Juvenile Justice and Detention Services Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1997) Pages: 73-77
Date Published
1997
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Seventy juvenile delinquents who had been residents of 3 midwestern facilities for more than 6 months and 27 teachers from the same facilities completed surveys to determine whether long-term residents of the juvenile justice system had characteristics of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and the issues important for managing their behaviors.
Abstract
The youths were between ages 9 and 19 years and had no need for special education services. The students represented various ethnic backgrounds. The teachers were all white. Each participant completed a one-page survey that contained eight closed-end and four open-form questions. The student surveys had no professional and technical language; the teacher surveys used more professional jargon. The participants -- both students and teachers -- reported at least four characteristics of ODD. Prevalent behaviors included negative actions, ignoring orders, bothersome behavior, using retaliation, reduced social involvement with peers, delayed academic learning, and depression. Students and teachers differed somewhat in their reports of behaviors and their opinions of what was needed to manage behaviors more effectively. Findings suggested the need for several approaches to managing behaviors. These include redirecting positive reinforcement so that the youth does not perceive praise negatively, using indirect reinforcement, refusing to argue, and allowing the youth time and space to vent anger and frustration. Additional recommendations and 8 references