Date of Conferral

2-17-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Kecia Freeman

Abstract

Residential treatment centers (RTCs) within the juvenile justice system (JJS) are commonly used as an out-of-home placement for adjudicated youths who require more individualized care. Several researchers studied the JJS; however, few explored RTCs or the direct care staff. Probation officers and detention facility staff have been the focus of previous studies. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of RTC staff on organizational climate and rehabilitation of adjudicated youths. The participants included 12 direct care RTC staff age 18 and older who had worked with adjudicated youths for one year or more. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was the theoretical framework for this study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with each participant, audio recorded, and transcribed. Interview data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis method. Six themes were identified: (a) positive RTC staff’s perspectives are connected to positive organizational climate, (b) positive work experience leads to RTC staff job satisfaction, (c) working with adjudicated youths is more than a job, (d) RTC staff are essential to rehabilitating adjudicated youth, (e) negative experiences impact RTC staff, and (f) RTC staff felt prepared to do their job. The results may lead to positive social change and may influence social determinants of health by emphasizing to policymakers the importance of having more diversity among JJS facility administration and providing an evidence-based therapeutic training program for all RTC staff. The results of this study align with the social determinants of health because establishing positive relationships with the RTC staff could improve the youths’ quality of life upon their return to the community.

Download

Share

 
COinS