Promising Artists in Recovery Program Evaluation
Abstract
The implementation of interventions designed to address the needs of juvenile justice
involved youth, while also conducting program evaluations, provides critical feedback to
program deliverers and policy makers. This study used a mixed-methods approach to
assess the impact of the Promising Artists in Recovery program (PAIR) on juvenile
justice involved youth participants diagnosed with a substance abuse problem. This
study relied upon an empirically based risk assessment, a post intervention youth survey
focusing on risk and protective factors, and qualitative data from interviews with program
deliverers. The use of risk and protective factors in assessing the likelihood of youth
substance abuse problems has been validated through meta-analysis research and this
study intends to answer whether there are significant differences in the dynamic risk and
protective factors of youth involved in PAIR, as measured by the Positive Achievement
Change Tool (PACT). A Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and McNemar’s Test was used to
measure changes in PACT risk and protective factor scores from Time 1 (pre-PAIR) to
Time 2 (post-PAIR). Post intervention participant survey results and PACT scores were
analyzed to determine correlations between youth attendance and identified risk and
protective factors. The study findings indicated youth involvement in PAIR significantly
increased the number of positive adult non-family relationships, and interest and
involvement in pro-social structured activities in the study group. Findings also revealed
correlations in PAIR attendance and participant increases in encouraging adults, prosocial
community ties, and youth motivation to abstain from drug and alcohol use. The
results of this study have policy implications for juvenile justice stakeholders.
Collections
- MA in Policy Studies [178]