Effectiveness of 12 Types of Interventions in Reducing Juvenile Offending and Antisocial Behaviour

Abstract

Abstract:The main aim of this article is to summarize the best available evidence (from systematic reviews) of the eff ectiveness of 12 types of interventions in reducing juvenile off ending and antisocial behaviour. In the interests of making the results widely understandable to researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and the general public, all eff ect sizes are converted into percentage decreases in antisocial behaviour or off ending. Based on the most important systematic review in each category, the most eff ective interventions are parent training, focused deterrence, child skills training, cognitive-behavioural therapy, mentoring, and family therapy. Anti-bullying programs, anti-cyberbullying programs, and pre-court diversion programs are quite eff ective, while school exclusion reduction, aft er-school programs, and boot camps are least eff ective. Th e good news is that, based on estimated reductions in off ending, intervention programs are usually found to be much more eff ective than is commonly believed (based on other measures).