Date of Conferral
7-3-2026
Date of Award
July 2026
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Criminal Justice
Advisor
Dr. Lois Woods
Abstract
Juvenile probation officers (JPOs) and therapists play a critical role in supervising and rehabilitating juvenile sex offenders (JSOs) while balancing community safety and continuity of care. However, limited community-based services, variations in professional training, and challenges related to family engagement may create barriers to successful rehabilitation and recidivism reduction. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to explore how JPOs and therapists describe the obstacles they encounter when ensuring continuity of care for JSOs in the northern region of Texas. The study was guided by Bronfenbrenner’s social-ecological model to examine systemic and relational influences on supervision practices. Data was collected through semi structured interviews with JPOs and therapists experienced in supervising JSOs. Grounded theory analysis resulted in the identification of four major themes: family engagement as a determinant of supervision success; structural barriers to rehabilitation; system-level gaps in continuity of care; and risk exposure and monitoring challenges. Findings suggest the need for expanded community-based services, improved interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhanced professional training. These findings may promote positive social change by informing policies and practices that strengthen collaboration among probation officers, therapists, and families to improve rehabilitation outcomes and reduce recidivism among justice-involved youth.
Recommended Citation
Miles-Henderson, Raven L., "Juvenile Probation Officers’ and Therapists’ Perceptions of Challenges in Rehabilitating Juvenile Sex Offenders and Reducing Recidivism in the Northern Region of Texas" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20357.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20357
