Eran Melkman, Tehila Refaeli, Batya Bibi, & Rami Benbenishty Bar-Ilan University, Israel Sponsored by the Schnitzer Foundation for Research on the Israeli Economy and Society, Bar-Ilan University

 Adverse personal background  High levels of emotional and behavioral problems  Repeated criminal activity

 Judicial or welfare system  Offending and at-risk youth  Authoritarian and rehabilitative approaches

 Multiple tasks (e.g. housing, employment, finances)  Limited support  Poor outcomes:  High rates of recidivism  Low rates of employment and education

How ready are youth for independent living on the verge of leaving care?

 The ability to provide for one’s needs, to feel comfortable with himself, and be satisfied with relationships with significant others (Maluccio, Krieger, & Pine, 1990)  Tangible skills- finances, occupation, housing  Intangible skills- communication, relationships, decision making

Benbenishty & Zeira, 2008  Staff reports regarding152 adolescents in JCFs  Findings:  10% will complete matriculation diploma  50% will not be able to avoid negative peers

1. Assess youths’ level of readiness for independent living as perceived by themselves 2. Examine predicting factors:  Gender  Social support: family, staff, peers

 Sample: 116 adolescents (57.8% boys) from 25 correctional facilities. Attempt to survey all relevant youth (response rate of 58%)  Structured self-report questionnaires:  Readiness for Independent Living (Benbenishty & Schiff, 2009; Benbenishty & Zeira, 2008; 26 items)  MOS social support scale (Sherbourne & Stewart, 1991; 30 items)

Scale: 1 = not at all thru 4 = to a large extent

 Youth in foster and residential care report lower levels of readiness  Juvenile delinquents’ ‘Calculational errors’ (Hirschi, 1969)  Extreme gaps between actual and desired reality- may pose a threat to future adjustment

* p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p <

 Offending girls in JCFs- a unique group with special needs  Higher levels of emotional and behavioral disorders than males  Few interventions focused on this group  After a substantial period of rehabilitative care in JCFs the gender gaps persist

Overall ReadinessSocial Support 0.12Mother support 0.15Father support 0.25Other relative support 0.44***Peer support 0.26**Staff support * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p <

 Key role of support networks within the institutions (peers and staff)  Protective role of peers despite hazards of negative peer influence within JCFs  Importance of staff support within authoritarian guided services  Families may not provide ample support, but to them youth return upon termination of care

 Low attrition rate (58%)  Youths’ self-reports at one point in time

 Reentry preparation and planning while youth are still in care  Gender sensitive programs  Encourage belief in abilities  Assist juvenile offenders to accurately delineate and prepare for the challenges lying ahead  Staff training focused on transition to independent living and the skills required

For more information please contact us: