Preliminary Findings of KINNECT: A Psychosocial Intervention for Youth in Residential Treatment. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grijalva, Frank; Vasquez, Matthew
• Is Part Of: Residential treatment for children & youth. Volume 38:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 82
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Health-risk behavior -- trauma -- psychosocial interventions -- residential treatment; Children -- Institutional care -- Periodicals; Youth -- Institutional care -- Periodicals; 362.732
• DOI: 10.1080/0886571X.2019.1669096
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0886-571X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Early intervention programs for youth in residential treatment can have a positive impact on numerous outcomes, including health, educational performance, and reduced prevalence of high-risk behaviors. Yet, there is currently a limited number of evidenced-based interventions that treat youth in these settings. This paper presents preliminary findings of a new psychosocial treatment for adolescents in residential treatment that can be implemented by front-line youth professionals. A 20-session multimodal group social skill building intervention, called KINNECT, was developed to address numerous health-risk behaviors through movement-based psychosocial skill building. A quasi-experimental post-test only design using non-equivalent groups was used on 63 participants from two residential treatment facilities in the Midwest. The findings of this study found a reduced likelihood of non-emergency medical visits and self-harming behavior in those who participated in the KINNECT intervention. The authors provide a discussion of these findings along with recommendations for future research.