Can We Hasten Development? Effects of Treatment on Psychosocial Maturity. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Riggs Romaine, Christina L.; Kemp, Kathleen; Giallella, Christy L.; Goldstein, Naomi E. S.; Serico, Jennifer; Kelley, Sharon
• Is Part Of: International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology. Volume 62:Number 9(2018)
• Page Start: 2857
• Page End: 2876
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: juvenile justice -- treatment -- psychosocial maturity -- impulsivity -- randomized controlled trial; Criminals -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Criminal psychology -- Periodicals; Violent offenders -- Periodicals; Sex offenders -- Periodicals; Criminology -- Periodicals; 364.3
• DOI: 10.1177/0306624X17735720
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-624X

Abstract

Research continues to highlight factors associated with developmental immaturity, including persistent delinquency. This article examines whether aspects of developmental immaturity, psychosocial maturity, and emotion regulation are responsive to therapeutic intervention. Fifty-seven female youth in secure residential juvenile justice facilities participated in a randomized controlled trial of the Juvenile Justice Anger Management (JJAM) Treatment for Girls, an intervention that targets skills relevant to psychosocial maturity, including problem-solving, coping, and emotion regulation. Participants in JJAM showed increases in temperance, providing evidence that intervention might stimulate psychosocial development. Implications for treatment, evaluation, and measurement of psychosocial maturity are discussed.