Tracking dynamic intervention needs as a vehicle for mitigating risk among juveniles with sex offenses.

Abstract

Juveniles with sex offenses (JSOs) are statutorily unique in terms of mandated management provisions. Managerial decisions are informed by risk assessment instruments that often do not take into account the challenges associated with a prediction for JSOs, because of the dynamic nature of adolescent development, the heterogeneity of JSOs, and the low base rates of reoffense. The present study developed, implemented, and revised a Youth Needs and Progress Scale (YNPS), which sought to address some of these challenges by focusing on tracking dynamic intervention needs across time as a vehicle for mitigating risk rather than attempting to assess risk as the outcome variable. Stage 1 focused on identifying domain and item generation to develop the scale. Stage 2 used a panel of experts to establish content validity. The test version of the YNPS was implemented in five states across multiple sites. Data were collected from 608 youth at numerous time points. Factor analysis was used for item deduction. Three factors emerged that contained dynamic intervention targets for general nondelinquent behavior, sexual behavior, and socioecological characteristics. Trend analyses revealed that youth classified as higher and lower risk significantly decreased intervention needs across four assessments over 12 months. The practical utility of the YNPS for capturing change attributable to normal development and interventions and individualizing interventions is discussed. Further, the trend analysis may provide preliminary support that change was possible and achieved within a short timeframe for both higher and lower-risk youth.

A Classification System to Guide Treatment Needs for Juveniles Who Have Engaged in Abusive Sexual Behavior

“…Data were collected as part of a 3-year grant-funded project developing the Youth Needs and Progress Scale (YNPS; Kang et al, 2023; Prentky et al, 2020). Information on youth enrolled in treatment for problematic sexual behavior was obtained from five cognitive-behavioral treatment programs in the United States.…”

“…Scale 3 consists of five items assessing socioecological treatment needs, such as living situation and caregiver relationship (α = .81, hereafter: YNPS-SocioE). The YNPS uses a four-point scale to examine the degree of treatment need (no need, minimal need, moderate need, and strong need; Kang et al, 2023; Prentky et al, 2020). One end of the scale (no need) indicates the presence of the protective aspect of the treatment need (e.g., positive relationship with primary caregiver) while the other end of the scale indicates the presence of a dynamic risk or responsivity factor (e.g., negative relationship with primary caregiver).…”

“…The YNPS was designed to account for the normative, pervasive developmental flux that defines this transitional period of adolescence. According to trend analysis results from Kang et al (2023), this measure targets and tracks dynamic treatment needs across time and can capture changes in a youth’s treatment needs.…”

“…This study represents a first step to further understanding how RNR applies to youth with problematic sexual behavior by examining if there are subgroups that would benefit most from specific types of interventions (Risk Principle) and what risk and intervention-related factors to target to have the best chance at reducing recidivism (Need Principle and Responsivity Principle). method pArtiCipAnts Data were collected as part of a 3-year grant-funded project developing the youth Needs and Progress Scale (yNPS; Kang et al, 2023;Prentky et al, 2020). Information on youth enrolled in treatment for problematic sexual behavior was obtained from five cognitivebehavioral treatment programs in the United States.…”