Rita Selimi , Jesse Roest , Geert Jan Stams , Tarah Hoebrechts , Esmee van de Graaf , Sanne Janssen , Marjolein Snijder , Njomza Llullaku , Peer van der Helm , Janneke Staaks , Naomi Koning , Mark Assink
{"title":"Wiping the slate clean: A meta-analysis of post-detention aftercare programs for young offenders","authors":"Rita Selimi , Jesse Roest , Geert Jan Stams , Tarah Hoebrechts , Esmee van de Graaf , Sanne Janssen , Marjolein Snijder , Njomza Llullaku , Peer van der Helm , Janneke Staaks , Naomi Koning , Mark Assink","doi":"10.1016/j.cpr.2025.102640","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This three-level meta-analysis examined the effects of post-detention aftercare programs for adolescent and young adult offenders on several types of criminal recidivism (primary outcomes) and dynamic risk and protective factors for criminal behavior (secondary outcomes). A systematic search was conducted in the databases APA PsycInfo, Medline, ERIC, Web of Science Core Collection, SocINDEX, and Google Scholar, resulting in 26 relevant studies that produced 259 effect sizes. The results revealed a small overall effect (<em>g</em> = 0.26). Aftercare was effective for both primary (<em>g</em> = 0.23) and secondary (<em>g</em> = 0.35) outcomes. Smaller effects were found for general offenses (<em>g =</em> 0.23) and violent offenses (<em>g =</em> 0.26), a somewhat larger effect for minor offenses (<em>g =</em> 0.39), and no effect for substance abuse offenses (<em>g =</em> −0.04). Larger effects were found for arrests (<em>g =</em> 0.25) compared to convicted offenses (<em>g =</em> 0.12). Moderator analyses showed that mentoring and multi-modal interventions were effective, whereas family interventions as well as service and surveillance interventions were not effective. Positive changes in skills, substance abuse, family functioning, externalizing problems, internalizing problems, and general health were associated with larger intervention effects on recidivism, and thus may be considered important levers of change in post-detention aftercare programs. It was concluded that aftercare programs can fulfill a crucial role in deterring youth from re-offending. Future research should focus on refining aftercare programs and identifying program components that contribute to the success of aftercare for young offenders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48458,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Psychology Review","volume":"121 ","pages":"Article 102640"},"PeriodicalIF":12.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Clinical Psychology Review","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735825001072","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This three-level meta-analysis examined the effects of post-detention aftercare programs for adolescent and young adult offenders on several types of criminal recidivism (primary outcomes) and dynamic risk and protective factors for criminal behavior (secondary outcomes). A systematic search was conducted in the databases APA PsycInfo, Medline, ERIC, Web of Science Core Collection, SocINDEX, and Google Scholar, resulting in 26 relevant studies that produced 259 effect sizes. The results revealed a small overall effect (g = 0.26). Aftercare was effective for both primary (g = 0.23) and secondary (g = 0.35) outcomes. Smaller effects were found for general offenses (g = 0.23) and violent offenses (g = 0.26), a somewhat larger effect for minor offenses (g = 0.39), and no effect for substance abuse offenses (g = −0.04). Larger effects were found for arrests (g = 0.25) compared to convicted offenses (g = 0.12). Moderator analyses showed that mentoring and multi-modal interventions were effective, whereas family interventions as well as service and surveillance interventions were not effective. Positive changes in skills, substance abuse, family functioning, externalizing problems, internalizing problems, and general health were associated with larger intervention effects on recidivism, and thus may be considered important levers of change in post-detention aftercare programs. It was concluded that aftercare programs can fulfill a crucial role in deterring youth from re-offending. Future research should focus on refining aftercare programs and identifying program components that contribute to the success of aftercare for young offenders.
期刊介绍:
Clinical Psychology Review serves as a platform for substantial reviews addressing pertinent topics in clinical psychology. Encompassing a spectrum of issues, from psychopathology to behavior therapy, cognition to cognitive therapies, behavioral medicine to community mental health, assessment, and child development, the journal seeks cutting-edge papers that significantly contribute to advancing the science and/or practice of clinical psychology.
While maintaining a primary focus on topics directly related to clinical psychology, the journal occasionally features reviews on psychophysiology, learning therapy, experimental psychopathology, and social psychology, provided they demonstrate a clear connection to research or practice in clinical psychology. Integrative literature reviews and summaries of innovative ongoing clinical research programs find a place within its pages. However, reports on individual research studies and theoretical treatises or clinical guides lacking an empirical base are deemed inappropriate for publication.