Question

What should a delinquency prevention program based on GST look like? How would it be designed? Explain thoroughly.

Answer 1

General strain theory (GST):-    

Crime prevention programs are successful to the extent that they effectively address the major causes of crime.Most of the causes described by GST are addressed in existing crime prevention programs, although GST suggests certain new strategies for preventing crime.

Agnew's general strain theory (GST) to two fundamental questions about gender and crime, how to explain the higher rate of crime among males and how to explain why females engage in crime. GST is used to explain the higher rate of male crime in three ways: (1) males and females tend to experience different strain types, with male strains being more conducive to serious violent and property crimes; (2) males and females differ in their emotional responses to strains; and (3) males may be more likely to respond to a given level of strain or anger with serious violent and property crimes because of differences in coping, social support, opportunities, social control, and the disposition to engage in crime.

A delinquency prevention program based on GST:-

Many of the more successful delinquency rehabilitation and prevention programs based on GST. These programs reduce exposure to strains such as child abuse, harsh/erratic parental discipline, parental rejection, and negative school experiences.

PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION TRAINING PROGRAM:-It is designed to teach parenting skills to parents of children ages two to seven who exhibit major behavioral problems. The program places parents and children in interactive situations. A therapist guides the parents, educating them on how best to respond to their child's behavior, whether positive or negative. The program has been shown to reduce hyperactivity, attention deficit, aggression, and anxious behavior in children.

In this program focus on:-

• Build close relationships between parents and their children using positive attention strategies
• Improve children’s social skills such as sharing and cooperation
• Teach parents how to communicate with young children who have limited attention spans
• Decrease children’s frustration and anger
• Teach parent specific discipline techniques that help children to listen to instructions and follow directions
• Help parents develop confidence in managing their children’s behaviors at home and in public

How would it be designed

All programs included in the program directory have been rigorously reviewed based on their conceptual framework, whether or not the program was implemented as intended, how it was evaluated, and the findings of the evaluations. Programs found to be effective are classified on a three-tier continuum:

• evel 1: In general, when implemented with a high degree of fidelity (effectiveness), these programs demonstrate robust empirical findings, using a reputable conceptual framework and an evaluation design of the highest quality.
• Level 2: In general, when implemented with sufficient fidelity, these programs demonstrate adequate empirical findings, using a sound conceptual framework and an evaluation design of high quality.
• Level 3: In general, when implemented with minimal fidelity, these programs demonstrate promising (yet perhaps inconsistent) empirical findings, using a reasonable conceptual framework and a limited evaluation design (single group pre-test) that requires confirmation of causality using more appropriate experimental techniques.