An evaluation of the ‘Think First’ program

Abstract

The Think First program was implemented in five NSW correctional centres between 2003 and 2007. This study is a longitudinal evaluation of Think First using the pre- and post-test scores of four questionnaire measures (the Social Problem Solving Inventory – Revised; Barratt Impulsivity Scale, version 11; Locus of Control Behaviour; and the Crime PICS, version II), in a sample of 135 male participants. Significant change in a pro-social direction was found on the Locus of Control Behaviour, all of the Barratt Impulsivity Scale and Crime PICS II subscales and two of the Social Problem Solving Inventory – Revised subscales. Completion of Think First improved impulsivity levels, criminal thinking styles and some aspects of social problem solving ability. There appeared to be particularly positive effects on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Locus of Control scores post-program.

Psychological Resilience Interventions to Reduce Recidivism in Young People: A Systematic Review

“…For five, it appeared to be compulsory (Caldwell and Rybroek 2001;Caldwell et al 2006;Forgays and DeMilio 2005;Hoogsteder et al 2018;Strom et al 2017). It is unclear whether the intervention was voluntary or compulsory for the remaining two groups (Bouffard and Bergseth 2008;Hubble et al 2015).…”

“…Of the studies identified, five were based in the community (Bouffard and Bergseth 2008;Burraston et al 2014;Forgays and DeMilio 2005;Haines et al 2015;Hubble et al 2015). However, one of those studies contained youth nearing the end of their custodial sentence before continuing in the community (Bouffard and Bergseth 2008). Participants in seven of the studies resided in custodial placements.…”

“…Of the interventions, eight originated from the USA (Bahr et al 2015;Bouffard and Bergseth 2008;Burraston et al 2014;Caldwell and Rybroek 2001;Caldwell et al 2006;Ford and Hawke 2012;Forgays and DeMilio 2005;Strom et al 2017), four from the UK (Cann et al 2005;Farrington et al 2002;Haines et al 2015;Hubble et al 2015), one from the Netherlands (Hoogsteder et al 2018), and one originated from Sweden (Lindblom et al 2017).…”

“…The number of intervention participants totaled 2837, and the number of control participants totaled 2715 making a total of 5552. Of those detailing gender, five of the studies contained male participants only totaling 3582 (Caldwell and Rybroek 2001;Caldwell et al 2006;Cann et al 2005;Farrington et al 2002;Hubble et al 2015) and nine included both genders of which 1587 were male and 337 female (Bahr et al 2015;Bouffard and Bergseth 2008;Burraston et al 2014;Ford and Hawke 2012;Forgays and DeMilio 2005;Haines et al 2015;Hoogsteder et al 2018;Lindblom et al 2017;Strom et al 2017). Across all reported studies, there were 5169 male participants and 337 females.…”

“…Other studies contain less detail; one stated that participants were 55% white and 45% non-white (Bahr et al 2015). Another study reported race as 40.5% white and 59.45% non-white (Bouffard and Bergseth 2008). Finally, one study recorded the race of their intervention group as 85% white and 15% "other" (Forgays and DeMilio 2005).…”