Skip to main content

A Multisystemic Approach to the Treatment of Serious Delinquent Behavior

  • Chapter
Behavior Disorders of Adolescence

Abstract

During the past decade, we have devoted considerable time to the study of delinquent behavior. A systematic research program was developed to identify the systemic correlates of delinquent behavior and to formulate effective intervention strategies for delinquent adolescents and the systems in which they are embedded. From 1978 to 1982, more than 100 families of juvenile offenders were evaluated and treated in the Memphis State University Delinquency Project. In addition, more than 100 control families (i.e., families of juvenile offenders who received an alternative treatment and families of well-adjusted adolescents) were evaluated during this time. Similarly, from 1983 through the present, approximately 175 families of juvenile offenders have been assessed and treated in the University of Missouri-Columbia Delinquency Project. An additional 150 adolescents and their families have served as either delinquent or normal controls. The Missouri project is still in progress, and we are enthusiastic about findings that are continuing to emanate from it.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Alexander, J.F., & Parsons, B. (1973). Short-term behavioral intervention with delinquent families: Impact on family process and recidivism. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 81, 219–225.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blakely, C.H., & Davidson, W.S. (1984). Behavioral approaches to delinquency: A review. In P. Karoly & J.J. Steffen (Eds.), Adolescent behavior disorders: Foundations and contemporary concerns (pp. 241–283). Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blasi, A. (1980). Bridging moral cognition and moral action: A critical review of the literature. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 1–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blaske, D.M., Borduin, C.M., Henggeler, S.W., & Mann, B.J. (1989). Individual, family, and peer characteristics of adolescent sex offenders and assaultive offenders. Developmental Psychology, 25, 846–855.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borduin, C.M., Blaske, D.M., Cone, L., Mann, B.J., & Hazelrigg, M.D. (1990). Development and validation of a measure of adolescent peer relations: The Missouri Peer Relations Inventory. Manuscript submitted for publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borduin, C.M., Blaske, D.M., Mann, B.J., Cone, L., Henggeler, S.W., & Fucci, B.R. (1990). Multisystemic treatment of juvenile offenders: A replication and extension. Manuscript submitted for publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borduin, C.M., & Henggeler, S.W. (1987). Post-divorce mother-son relations of delinquent and well-adjusted adolescents. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 8, 273–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borduin, C.M., Henggeler, S.W., Hanson, C.L., & Pruitt, J.A. (1985). Verbal problem solving in families of father-absent and father-present delinquent boys. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 7, 51–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borduin, C.M., Pruitt, J.A., & Henggeler, S.W. (1986). Family interactions in Black, lower-class families with delinquent and nondelinquent adolescent boys. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 147, 333–342.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (1986). Ecology of the family as a context for human development: Research perspectives. Developmental Psychology, 22, 723–742.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brunk, M., Henggeler, S.W., & Whelan, J.P. (1987). A comparison of multisystemic therapy and parent training in the brief treatment of child abuse and neglect. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 171–178.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Camp, B.W., & Ray, R.S. (1984). Aggression. In A.W. Meyers & W.E. Craighead (Eds.), Cognitive behavior therapy with children (pp. 315–350). New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L.R. (1983). SCL-90-R: Manual-II. Towson, MD: Clinical Psychometric Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dishion, T.J., Loeber, R., Stouthamer-Loeber, M., & Patterson, G.R. (1984). Skill deficits and male adolescent delinquency. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 12, 37–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dumas, J.E., & Wahler, R.G. (1983). Predictors of treatment outcome in parent training: Mother insularity and socioeconomic disadvantage. Behavioral Assessment, 5, 301–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, D.S., & Ageton, S.S. (1980). Reconciling race and class differences in self-reported and official estimates of delinquency. American Sociological Review, 45, 95–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, D.S., Huizinga, D., & Ageton, S.S. (1985). Explaining delinquency and drug use. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, D.S., Huizinga, D., & Morse, B.J. (1985). The dynamics of deviant behavior: A national survey progress report. Boulder, CO: Behavioral Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J., &Eysenck, S.B.G. (1963). Eysenck Personality Inventory. San Diego: Educational and Industrial Testing Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrington, D.P. (1979). Longitudinal research on crime and delinquency. In N. Morris & M. Tonry (Eds.), Crime and justice: An annual review of research (Vol. 1, pp. 289–348). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation. (1985). Uniform crime reports. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, R.A., Caplinger, T.E., & Wodarski, J.S. (1983). The St. Louis conundrum: The effective treatment of antisocial youths. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finger, W.W., & Borduin, C.M. (1990). Correlates of self-reported delinquency among adolescents: An ecological-systems model. Manuscript in preparation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freedman, B.J., Rosenthal, L., Donahoe, C.P., Schlundt, D.G., & McFall, R.M. (1978). A social-behavioral analysis of skill deficits in delinquent and nondelinquent adolescent boys. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 46, 1448–1462.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gold, M. (1987). Social ecology. In H. C. Quay (Ed.), Handbook of juvenile delinquency (pp. 62–105). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gurman, A. S., Kniskern, D. P., & Pinsof, W. M. (1986). Research on the process and out- come of marital and family therapy. In S. Garfield & A. Bergin (Eds.), Handbook of psychotherapy and behavior change (3rd ed., pp. 565–624). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hains, A., & Miller, D. (1980). Moral judgment in delinquent and nondelinquent children and adolescents. Genetic Psychology, 137, 21–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamparian, D. M., Schuster, W. J., Dinitz, S., & Conrad, J. P. (1978). The violent few. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, C. L., Henggeler, S. W., Haefele, W. F., & Rodick, J. D. (1984). Demographic, individual, and family relationship correlates of serious and repeated crime among adolescents and their siblings. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 528–538.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S.W. (Ed.). (1982). Delinquency and adolescent psychopathology: A family-ecological systems approach. Littleton, MA: Wright-PSG.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S.W. (1989). Delinquency in adolescence. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S.W., Borduin, C.M., & Mann, B.J. (1987). Intrafamily agreement: Association with clinical status, social desirability, and observational ratings. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 5, 97–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S.W., Edwards, J., & Borduin, C.M. (1987). The family relations of female juvenile delinquents. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 15, 199–209.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S.W., Hanson, C.L., Borduin, C.M., Watson, S.M., & Brunk, M.A. (1985). Mother-son relations of juvenile felons. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53, 942–943.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S.W., Rodick, J.D., Borduin, C.M., Hanson, C.L., Watson, S.M., & Urey, J.R. (1986). Multisystemic treatment of juvenile offenders: Effects on adolescent behavior and family interactions. Developmental Psychology, 22, 132–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S.W., & Tavormina, J.B. (1980). Social class and race differences in family interaction: Pathological, normative or confounding methodological factors? Journal of Genetic Psychology, 137, 211–222.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hindelang, M.J., Hirschi, J.T., & Weis, J.G. (1981). Measuring delinquency. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudgins, W., & Prentice, N.M. (1973). Moral judgment in delinquent adolescents and their mothers. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 82, 145–152.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jastak, S., & Wilkinson, G.S. (1984). Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised. Wilmington, DE: Jastak Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jurkovic, G.J., & Prentice, N.M. (1977). Relation of moral and cognitive development to dimensions of juvenile delinquency. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 86, 414–420.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A.E. (1987). Treatment of antisocial behavior in children: Current status and future directions. Psychological Bulletin, 102, 187–203.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klein, N., Alexander, J., & Parsons, B. (1977). Impact of family systems intervention on recidivism and sibling delinquency: A model of primary prevention and program evaluation. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 45, 469–474.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kohlberg, L. (1976). Moral stages and moralization: The cognitive-developmental approach. In T. Lickona (Ed.), Moral development and behavior: Theory, research, and social issues (pp. 31–53). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipsey, M.W. (1988). Juvenile delinquency intervention. In H.S. Bloom, D.S. Cordray, & RJ. Light (Eds.), Lessons from selected programs and policy areas (pp. 118–138). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Locke, H., & Wallace, K. (1959). Short marital adjustment prediction tests: Their reliability and validity. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 21, 251–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R. (1982). The stability of antisocial and delinquent child behavior: A review. Child Development, 53, 1431–1446.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., & Dishion, T. (1983). Early predictors of male delinquency: A review. Psychological Bulletin, 94, 68–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mann, B.J., Borduin, C.M., Henggeler, S.W., & Blaske, D.M. (in press). An investigation of systemic conceptualizations of parent-child coalitions and symptom change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olson, D.H., McCubbin, H.I., Barnes, H., Larsen, A., Muxen, M., & Wilson, M. (1982). Family inventories. St. Paul, MN: Family Social Science.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olweus, D. (1979). Stability of aggressive reaction patterns in males: A review. Psychological Bulletin, 86, 852–875.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G.R. (1982). Coercive family process. Eugene, OR: Castalia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G.R. (1986). Performance models for antisocial boys. American Psychologist, 41, 432–444.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G.R., & Dishion, T.J. (1985). Contributions of families and peers to delinquency. Criminology, 23, 63–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G.R., & Stouthamer-Loeber, M. (1984). The correlation of family management practices and delinquency. Child Development, 55, 1299–1307.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Quay, H.C., & Peterson, D.R. (1977). Manual for the Behavior Problem Checklist. Unpublished manuscript, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quay, H.C., & Peterson, D.R. (1987). Manual for the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist. Unpublished manuscript, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rest, J. (1979). Development in judging moral issues. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodick, J.D., Henggeler, S.W., & Hanson, C.L. (1986). An evaluation of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales and the Circumplex Model. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 14, 77–87.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Snyder, J., & Patterson, G.R. (1987). Family interaction and delinquent behavior. In H.C. Quay (Ed.), Handbook of juvenile delinquency (pp. 216–243). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strasburg, P.A. (1978). Violent delinquents. New York: Monarch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolan, P.H., Cromwell, R.E., & Brasswell, M. (1986). Family therapy with delinquents: A critical review of the literature. Family Process, 25, 619–650.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (1974). Manual; Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. New York: Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, J.Q., & Herrnstein, R.J. (1985). Crime and human nature. New York: Simon & Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1990 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Borduin, C.M., Henggeler, S.W. (1990). A Multisystemic Approach to the Treatment of Serious Delinquent Behavior. In: McMahon, R.J., DeV. Peters, R. (eds) Behavior Disorders of Adolescence. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3734-2_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3734-2_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6662-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-3734-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics