Typology of youth at risk. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Etzion, Dafna; Romi, Shlomo
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 59(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 184
• Page End: 195
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Youth at risk -- Typology -- School dropouts -- Adjustment -- Educational intervention -- Disengagement; Social work with children -- Periodicals; Social work with youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Child Welfare -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Service social aux enfants -- Périodiques; Service social à la jeunesse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.10.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Abstract: The absence of an accepted definition and classification for youth at risk has led to heterogeneous therapeutic grouping, often preventing appropriate intervention. The proposed typology, based on research conducted in Israel, is an initial attempt to classify these adolescents into relatively homogenous groups according to a complete set of personality and behavioral variables. The research tool was a questionnaire administered to 282 youths in distress and a contrast group of 217 normative youths. Cluster analysis that was used to construct the typology for the youths at risk, revealed four clusters: Suspended — relatively high scores in all positive adjustment measures, fewer-than-average deviant behaviors, higher-than average rate of suspension from school; Sociablists — relatively low positive adjustment measures, relatively high social adjustment, markedly higher-than-average negative adjustment measures (deviant behaviors and suspension from school); Alienated — significantly low positive adjustment measures, especially personal adjustment, higher-than-average negative adjustment measures; Loners — low positive adjustment measures, especially low social adjustment, lower-than-average negative adjustment measures (few deviant behaviors or school suspensions). The derived typology can be used to create interventions geared to personality and behavior rather than to external/demographic characteristics. A proposed intervention, with specialized programs for each group, is presented. Highlights: Innovative typology of youth at risk, empirically based on personality traits Cluster analysis used for classification of youth at risk into homogeneous groups Four types were characterized by common personal and behavioral traits. No significant socio-demographic differences were found between the four types. The new typology can be used for more appropriate personality-based interventions.