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.