Feasibility and Fit of an Evidence-Based Universal Prevention Program Adapted for Youth Involved in the Justice System

Amanda Kerry, Claire V Crooks

Introduction: Over one-third of Canadian youth have engaged in some form of delinquent behavior by the age of 14 (Savoie, 2006). In the United States, approximately 31 million youth are under juvenile court jurisdiction each year (National Center for Juvenile Justice, 2013). Juvenile offending is linked to many negative outcomes for youth, including psychological, emotional, physical, social, academic, and employment challenges. Thus, the prevention of delinquent behavior is an important public health goal. Many youth engage in delinquent behaviors due to risk factors related to physical and mental health inequities, such as poverty, neighbourhood crime, substance use, and unhealthy relationships. Unfortunately, youth involvement with the justice system often serves to widen this disparity. To reduce the likelihood of negative outcomes, stakeholders must carefully choose appropriate prevention and intervention programs that address these disparities. The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility and fit of universal prevention programs adapted for youth justice settings.

Methods: This study implemented the Fourth R and Healthy Relationships Plus Program (HRPP) at two youth custody facilities in Manitoba, Canada. Overall, 34 facilitators were trained (67% females). The Fourth R Program is an evidence-based universal prevention program that promotes healthy relationships and aims to prevent peer and dating violence, substance misuse, and unhealthy sexual behaviour. The HRPP is an evidence-informed program that applies the same core principles of the Fourth R program, but also includes enhanced content on mental health and suicide prevention. Quantitative and qualitative responses from session tracking sheets, implementation surveys, facilitator focus groups, and administrator interviews will help us understand the feasibility and fit of these programs in a youth justice setting and inform necessary adaptations.

Results: Analyses are currently underway to identify how varying group, setting, and facilitator characteristics predict a more successful implementation experience for facilitators. Pilot data suggests all facilitators felt the program was beneficial for youth participants, and youth learned about the connections between relationships and substance use. The most reported barrier (67%) was external influences (i.e., disruptions to the facilities’ schedule). Based on preliminary qualitative data, it is hypothesized that program adaptations will include simplified language due to low literacy rates, and changing activities/scenarios to make them more engaging and relevant.

Conclusions: Results of this study will advance the use of evidence-based and evidence-informed healthy relationships programs and promote the equity, health, and well-being of youth involved in the justice system. Implications for program adaptations and implementation will be discussed.

This abstract was submitted to the 2017 Society for Prevention Research Annual Meeting.