Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Jennifer L. Rounds-Bryant

Abstract

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (FDJJ) has launched several diversion programs for at-risk youth in the state of Florida. Prior studies revealed the efficacy of diversion programming in helping mentally ill individuals, the community, and the criminal justice system. This study addressed a gap in the literature regarding how youth and family factors and characteristics can determine program completion. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate youth and family factors and characteristics associated with program completion for participants in diversion programs in the state of Florida. The family systems theory used for this study supports the idea on how family dynamics can potentially influence family-related factors among family members and how they relate to individual and family factors that affect program completion. Participants (N = 7,068) were collected from the archival data of the FDJJ who participated in a diversion services program in the state of Florida for the fiscal year 2017-2018. Spearman correlations and logistic regression models were used to answer all research questions to show the relationship between the independent variable (program completion) and each of the four dependent variables (substance use, interpersonal stress, undermined authority and relatedness, and family discord). Findings showed youth factors/characteristics, family factors, and family discord predicted juvenile justice diversion program completion. One important implication in this study is for positive social change that may offer social transformation for most at-risk youth, which is the focus and heart of juvenile justice programs.

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