Taking Stock and Taking Steps: The Case for an Adolescent Version of the Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability

Abstract

The field of violence risk assessment has matured considerably, possibly advancing beyond its own adolescence. At this point in the field’s evolution, it is more important than ever for the development of any new device to be accompanied by a strong rationale and the capacity to provide a unique contribution. With this issue in mind, we first take stock of the field of adolescent risk assessment in order to describe the rapid progress that this field has made, as well as the gaps that led us to adapt the Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START; Webster, Martin, Brink, Nicholls, & Desmarais, 2009) for use with adolescents. We view the Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability: Adolescent Version (START:AV; Nicholls, Viljoen, Cruise, Desmarais, & Webster, 2010; Viljoen, Cruise, Nicholls, Desmarais, & Webster, in progress) as complementing other risk measures in four primary ways: 1) rather than focusing solely on violence risk, it examines broader adverse outcomes to which some adolescents are vulnerable (including self-harm, suicide, victimization, substance abuse, unauthorized leave, self-neglect, general offending); 2) it places a balanced emphasis on adolescents’ strengths; 3) it focuses on dynamic factors that are relevant to short-term assessment, risk management, and treatment planning; and 4) it is designed for both mental health and justice populations. We describe the developmentally-informed approach we took in the adaptation of the START for adolescents, and outline future steps for the continuing validation and refinement of the START:AV.

Pilot Implementation and Preliminary Evaluation of START:AV Assessments in Secure Juvenile Correctional Facilities

“…We have delineated herein and elsewhere the reasons we believe so (e.g., Desmarais, Nicholls, Wilson, & Brink, 2012; Desmarais, Van Dorn et al, 2012; Viljoen, Cruise, et al, 2012; Webster et al, 2006; Wilson, Desmarais, Nicholls, & Brink, 2010). In the current study, associations between strength and vulnerability ratings, as well as between the strength and vulnerability total scores, generally were significant and small to moderate in size.…”

“…Through review of the empirical and practice literature, as well as consultation with experts, the START scheme was modified according to three principles to increase its applicability to adolescents (see Viljoen, Cruise, Nicholls, Desmarais, & Webster, 2012, for further details regarding the adaptation process). First, though adolescents and adults may share common risk and protective factors, there also may be important differences in the relevance of certain factors across the lifespan.…”

From risk assessment to risk management: Matching interventions to adolescent offenders' strengths and vulnerabilities

“…It may be distinguished from other risk assessment tools designed for such populations in several ways (Viljoen, Cruise, Nicholls, Desmarais, & Webster, 2012). First, the START:AV guides the assessment of vulnerabilities (i.e., characteristics of the youth and their environment that may increase risk, either directly or indirectly) and strengths (i.e., characteristics of the youth and their environment that may reduce risk, either directly or indirectly) for every item.…”

Are adolescent risk assessment tools sensitive to change? A framework and examination of the SAVRY and the YLS/CMI.

“…Measuring change is important, as it might help professionals to better predict and prevent reoffending. Furthermore, attention to change may be particularly important when assessing adolescents, given that adolescence is a period of enormous change (Vincent, Guy, & Grisso, 2012;Viljoen, Cruise, Nicholls, Desmarais, & Webster, 2012).…”