An Evaluation of the Healthy Relationships Program for Male Adolescents in Juvenile Detention: A Mixed Method Approach

Currently, there is limited empirically published Australian studies on effective rehabilitative programs in youth justice. This study used a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the Healthy Relationships program which was designed to challenge attitudes relating to intimate partner violence for male...

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Main Authors: Rae-lee Warner, Kristie Dellar, Lynne Roberts
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2024-12-01
Series:SAGE Open
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241306821
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author Rae-lee Warner
Kristie Dellar
Lynne Roberts
author_facet Rae-lee Warner
Kristie Dellar
Lynne Roberts
author_sort Rae-lee Warner
collection DOAJ
description Currently, there is limited empirically published Australian studies on effective rehabilitative programs in youth justice. This study used a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the Healthy Relationships program which was designed to challenge attitudes relating to intimate partner violence for male adolescents in detention in Western Australia. Paired group analyses compared pre and post measures of attitudes towards intimate partner violence and traditional gender roles and stereotypes for the total sample ( N  = 65). Given the significant overrepresentation of First Nations youth in detention, additional analyses were also run separately for this group ( n  = 51). Participation in the Healthy Relationships program was expected to reduce participant endorsement of attitudes supporting intimate partner violence and endorsement of attitudes supporting traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Results supported our expectations for the total sample and the First Nations youth sample, indicating significant improvements across all outcomes following program participation. Qualitative analysis of participant program feedback further supported the quantitative results and identified the importance of the therapeutic alliance and incentives-based learning approaches. The findings contribute to the “what works” literature and provide insights into factors that improve positive treatment outcomes for youth in detention. Suggestions for program improvements and future research directions are discussed.
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spelling doaj-art-275564b7a4e44ec18199d9647434de442025-08-20T01:55:30ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open2158-24402024-12-011410.1177/21582440241306821An Evaluation of the Healthy Relationships Program for Male Adolescents in Juvenile Detention: A Mixed Method ApproachRae-lee Warner0Kristie Dellar1Lynne Roberts2 Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia Department of Justice, Perth, WA, Australia Curtin University, Perth, WA, AustraliaCurrently, there is limited empirically published Australian studies on effective rehabilitative programs in youth justice. This study used a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the Healthy Relationships program which was designed to challenge attitudes relating to intimate partner violence for male adolescents in detention in Western Australia. Paired group analyses compared pre and post measures of attitudes towards intimate partner violence and traditional gender roles and stereotypes for the total sample ( N  = 65). Given the significant overrepresentation of First Nations youth in detention, additional analyses were also run separately for this group ( n  = 51). Participation in the Healthy Relationships program was expected to reduce participant endorsement of attitudes supporting intimate partner violence and endorsement of attitudes supporting traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Results supported our expectations for the total sample and the First Nations youth sample, indicating significant improvements across all outcomes following program participation. Qualitative analysis of participant program feedback further supported the quantitative results and identified the importance of the therapeutic alliance and incentives-based learning approaches. The findings contribute to the “what works” literature and provide insights into factors that improve positive treatment outcomes for youth in detention. Suggestions for program improvements and future research directions are discussed.https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241306821
spellingShingle Rae-lee Warner
Kristie Dellar
Lynne Roberts
An Evaluation of the Healthy Relationships Program for Male Adolescents in Juvenile Detention: A Mixed Method Approach
SAGE Open
title An Evaluation of the Healthy Relationships Program for Male Adolescents in Juvenile Detention: A Mixed Method Approach
title_full An Evaluation of the Healthy Relationships Program for Male Adolescents in Juvenile Detention: A Mixed Method Approach
title_fullStr An Evaluation of the Healthy Relationships Program for Male Adolescents in Juvenile Detention: A Mixed Method Approach
title_full_unstemmed An Evaluation of the Healthy Relationships Program for Male Adolescents in Juvenile Detention: A Mixed Method Approach
title_short An Evaluation of the Healthy Relationships Program for Male Adolescents in Juvenile Detention: A Mixed Method Approach
title_sort evaluation of the healthy relationships program for male adolescents in juvenile detention a mixed method approach
url https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241306821
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