Troubled Teen Resources

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Shock programs the great American Experience to scare teens to go straight.

Shock Programs

One tertiary youth violence prevention intervention meets the scientific criteria established above for Does Not Work: Scared Straight. Scared Straight is an example of a shock probation or parole program in which brief encounters with inmates describing the brutality of prison life or short-term incarceration in prisons or jails is expected to shock, or deter, youths from committing crimes. Numerous studies of Scared Straight have demonstrated that the program does not deter future criminal activities. In some studies, rearrest rates were similar between controls and youths who participated in Scared Straight. In others, youths exposed to Scared Straight actually had higher rates of rearrest than youths not involved in this intervention. Studies of other shock probation programs have shown similar effects. (For more information on Scared Straight and similar shock probation interventions, see Boudouris & Turnbull, 1985; Buckner & Chesney-Lind, 1983; Finckenauer, 1982; Lewis, 1983; Sherman et al., 1997; Vito, 1984; Vito & Allen, 1981.)

Residential Programs are often a popular choice for parents of out of control teens.   While some residential programs appear to have positive effects on youths as long as they remain in the institutional setting, research demonstrates consistently that these effects diminish once young people leave.  Before you choose a residential programs for your troubled teen you will want to read what the Surgeon General has to say about them.  Residential programs, interventions that take place in psychiatric or correctional institutions, also show little promise of reducing subsequent crime and violence in delinquent youths. While some residential programs appear to have positive effects on youths as long as they remain in the institutional setting, research demonstrates consistently that these effects diminish once young people leave. Evaluations of two residential programs showed that participating youths were actually more likely to be rearrested and to report they had committed serious offenses during follow-up. In both studies, the comparison group consisted of youths assigned to regular training schools.

Two general approaches that are popular in residential settings are milieu treatment and behavioral token programs. Both strategies aim to change the organizational structures of residential programs. The milieu treatment approach is characterized by resident involvement in decision making and day-to-day interaction for psychotherapeutic discussion. While this approach shows some positive effects when individual responsibility is stressed, the more common strategy of group decision making has shown no positive effect on recidivism after release. Moreover, Lipsey and Wilson’s meta-analysis shows that milieu therapy is one of the least effective approaches to preventing recidivism in serious juvenile offenders.

In behavioral token programs, youths are rewarded for conforming to rules, exhibiting prosocial behavior, and not exhibiting antisocial or violent behavior. Like some other residential approaches, behavioral token programs can have positive effects on targeted behaviors while youths are institutionalized. However, when this strategy is used alone, any such effects disappear when youths leave the program.

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/youthviolence/chapter5/sec6.html

You make sure they get enough sleep, eat fruits and vegetables, and brush their teeth. Prevention is key to keeping your child well. When it comes to alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, preventive measures—also called “protective factors”—can help keep your teen from using substances.1 In contrast, risk factors are like red flags that can warn you about possible dangers in your teen’s future—and help you prevent those dangers.

A teen negotiating the dangers of substance abuse deals with many types of risk and protective factors at home, in school, and in his neighborhood. The more risk factors a child faces, the more likely he is to have substance abuse and related problems as a teen or young adult. And the reverse is true; with more protective factors at work, a child is more likely to make healthy decisions.

Protective Factors
Parents can provide one of the most important protective factors: a strong family bond. When you and your children hang out and have fun together, you develop a sense of closeness and trust and help strengthen family ties. Time together also gives you a chance to share your values and expectations about different topics, including substance use. If you let your child know up front that you don’t approve of using alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, your child is less likely to use them.2 Research shows that parental influence is a primary reason that youth don’t do drugs3 so speak up and let your children know where you stand.

Risk Factors
Many types of risk factors are rooted in a child’s family life. Would it surprise you to learn that parents’ permissiveness is a bigger factor in teenage drug use than is peer pressure?4 Research shows that children whose parents who don’t use fair and consistent discipline are more likely to be at greater risk for drug-taking behavior.5 Making rules, explaining the need for them, and enforcing them consistently are important. Parents need to establish regularly enforced rules to guide their children in developing daily habits of self-discipline.
Risk and Protective Factors in Your Family’s Regular Routine
You have a chance to improve many of your child’s protective factors every day. Start by spending time together—eat dinner together, go for a walk, drive to the mall, play board games, or do other activities that you and your child can enjoy together. Like the steps you take to keep your child’s body healthy, a solid relationship with you can help protect her from substance use and help keep her well in body, mind, and spirit.

Sources

1 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). 2000. NCAPTion 1: Training Guide. Rockville, MD: CSAP.
2 SAMHSA’s CSAP. Keeping Youth Drug Free: Make Clear Rules and Enforce Them With Consistency and Appropriate Consequences, last referenced 8/4/04. (A print version of this publication was released in 2002.)
3 SAMHSA’s CSAP. Keeping Youth Drug Free: If You Love a Child, You Need To Know This, last referenced 8/4/04. (A print version of this publication was released in 2002.)
4 SAMHSA’s CSAP. Keeping Youth Drug Free: Make Clear Rules and Enforce Them With Consistency and Appropriate Consequences, last referenced 8/4/04. (A print version of this publication was released in 2002.)
5 Ibid.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders, Second Edition, last referenced 8/6/04.

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The term “at risk youth” applies to almost every teen growing up today.  Teens in affluent neighborhoods, middle class neighborhoods and poor neighborhoods all face some of the same challenges growing up.  The parent today who believes their youth isn’t exposed to drugs and alcohol, teen violence, and sex is a naive parent.  Throw into the mix that teen depression, ADHD and other disorders are on the rise and both parents and youth are facing unique and difficult challenges.

Parents of troubled teens often don’t realize how much help is available to them.  TroubledTeenResources.net is committed to helping parents gain resources and knowledge on how to parent troubled teens.  Whether your visit to our site is inspired by a desire to learn tips for parenting teens, to educate yourself about the nature of the problems facing teens today or to find resources such as Private Boarding Schools, Military Boarding Schools, Juvenile Boot Camps, Special Education, Alternative Schools, Wilderness Camps, Residential Treatment, or Educational Consultants you have come to the right place

Troubled teens. What teen doesn’t have troubles today. And, what family with teenagers isn’t trying to cope with troubles of those teens?

The term troubled teen applies to almost every teenager growing up today.   From drug addiction to violence, teens today are at risk. Throw into the mix that teen self-injury, depression, ADHD and other disorders are on the rise and both parents and youth are facing unique and difficult challenges.

Parents of troubled teens often don’t realize how much help is available to them.That’s why TroubledTeenResources.net is committed to providing parents help for troubled teens.   Whether your visit to our site is inspired by a desire to learn tips for parenting teens, to educate yourself about the nature of the problems facing teens today or to find resources, we’re here for you

Among the many options for troubled teens there are boarding schools, outdoor schools, boot camps, military schools, group homes, day schools. And, of course, there is counseling. This website provides directories of these services as well as information regarding each one to help you make the best choice for your troubled teen.

Children who have been treated too harshly may become insecure, destructive, angry, or withdrawn. In the teen years and beyond they may have troubled relationships or put themselves at risk of harm.

It’s no secret that raising a child can be stressful. Yet, how parents handle it is crucial. Have you ever yelled at your child? Have you told him he’s dumb or useless? Maybe you’ve threatened to hit him. How about vowing to send him packing—perhaps to a home for wayward youth or to no place in particular?

If you’ve vented your anger in such ways, you’re not alone. A study of almost 1,000 parents showed that nearly all of them had used what the authors called “psychological aggression” to discipline children by the time they were 5 years old. This term includes a wide range of actions such as yelling and screaming, cursing and swearing, name calling, and threats of spanking.1

Nine in 10 parents said they had used such methods on children aged 2 or younger.2 Parents who spank their children tend to keep it up as the kids get older. Other research showed that more than half of youths in their early teens who were spanked as young children were still being spanked an average of eight times a year.3

Parents were psychologically aggressive toward their kids 22 times a year on average. As you might expect, yelling was the most common form of such discipline. Three in four parents said they had “shouted, yelled, or screamed” at their children in the past year. However, many parents used more severe methods:

* In the past year, one in two parents had threatened a spanking.
* One in three had used tactics like calling their kids “lazy” or “ dumb,” swearing at them, or threatening to send them away.
* One in four had “sworn or cursed” at their children.4

Older children and teens were most likely to receive the more severe forms of discipline such as cursing, name calling, and threats of being kicked out of the house.5

Okay, so parents can go too far with discipline. But isn’t it okay to yell once in a while? Is it really so bad to sternly promise a spanking if a child won’t follow the rules? After all, don’t these methods send a clear and direct message about poor conduct?

The study’s lead author, Dr. Murray A. Straus of the Family Research Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH believes that it depends on how, and how often, hard-line discipline is used. The impact of screaming, cursing, or threats most likely depends on how often parents resort to these methods. Another part of the picture is whether parents condemn the child’s actions rather than putting down the child herself. Effects tend to vary based on how sensitive a child is.6

Children who have been treated too harshly may become insecure, destructive, angry, or withdrawn. Later in life, they may have troubled relationships or put themselves at risk of harm.7

Still, it’s not a matter of “How much is too much?” The key question is “Why do it at all?” According to Dr. Straus, harsh discipline simply isn’t needed. He urges parents to rely on other methods such as talking with the child. He notes that steady discipline is what gets children’s attention.8

So, stick with the true meaning of discipline—to teach. Be positive and create a warm and caring climate. Provide a good example by acting calmly, using manners, and showing respect and understanding. Set fair rules and consequences and give your child the freedom that’s right for his age. Instead of yelling, praise and reward good conduct and things done well. Be flexible and, especially with older children, listen, negotiate, and involve them in decisionmaking.9
Sources

1 Straus, Murray A., and Carolyn J. Field. November 2003. Psychological Aggression by American Parents: National Data on Prevalence, Chronicity, and Severity. Journal of Marriage and Family 65: 795-808
2 Ibid.
3 American Academy of Pediatrics. Guidance for Effective Discipline, last referenced 2/17/04.
4 Straus, Murray A., and Carolyn J. Field. November 2003. Psychological Aggression by American Parents: National Data on Prevalence, Chronicity, and Severity. Journal of Marriage and Family 65: 795-808
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.
7 National Exchange Club Foundation. Emotional Abuse, last referenced 2/17/04.
8 Ibid.
9 American Humane Association. No Hitting: Abandoning Corporal Punishment for Better Forms of Discipline, last referenced 2/17/04.
Additional Resources

* American Academy of Pediatrics: Just The Facts: Effective Discipline
* Child Trends: Building a Better Teenager: A Summary of “What Works” in Adolescent Development
* North Carolina Cooperative Extension: Appropriate Limits for Young Children II
* Office of National Drug Control Policy: Parenting Skills: 21 Tips & Ideas To Help You Make a Difference

High school can be an ongoing lesson in time management as students try new activities and meet new people. They often juggle busy schedules and may want to push schoolwork aside to do other things. But teens who get good grades are more likely to choose to stay away from drugs.1 Monitor your child’s activities—and how he schedules them—to help him achieve school success.

In high school, teens make decisions about alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. Although most youth do not use drugs, in one survey, young people aged 12 to 17 named drugs as the most important problem they face—more than social pressures, violence, crime, or any other issue.2 According to researchers, teens who don’t receive good grades are more likely than their peers to use alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs.3 On the other hand, teens who do well in school are less likely to get involved with substance use.4

As their children become teens, parents sometimes feel that they no longer have a vital role in their child’s schooling. But the truth is that your guidance can help put your teen on the path to school success. When you are involved, you’re also helping your child bond with you—another protective factor when it comes to keeping your teen healthy and drug free.5 So, get involved with your teen’s education! You can—

* Take an active role in helping him to set up a schedule and manage his time. Let him plan for hanging out with his friends and going to fun school events, but be sure that he also makes time for hitting the books. During busy times when he has many exams and projects, help him keep up with his workload by scheduling extra time for doing homework and getting enough rest.
* Take an interest in what your teen is learning in school. Get updates on what happens in class, keep up with his work, stay in contact with his teachers, and attend back-to-school nights and parent-teacher conferences.
* Set clear expectations for schoolwork and grades. Discuss with your teen what her goals are and what you expect from her during the school year. When your teen does her homework, make sure that she sits at a desk or table in a well-lit area that is free from distraction. Let her know that you are available to help if she is having trouble.
* Be firm and consistent with rules. Talk with your child about how he should behave both in and out of school. Clearly define the rules and the consequences of breaking the rules. Enforce the rules and consequences appropriately and consistently.

There may be times when you and your teen need extra help. Your teen might be working on subjects that are new to you, too. Work with the school and your community to find support groups, skills development classes, peer tutors, counselors, or teachers who can lend a hand. These resources can help you get your teen on the track to school success.

Sources

Additional Resources

Arons, B.S. 1999. A preview of the new CMHS school violence prevention program. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. 2000. NCAPTion 1: Training Guide. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

In high school, teens make decisions about alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. Although most youth do not use drugs, in one survey, young people aged 12 to 17 named drugs as the most important problem they face—more than social pressures, violence, crime, or any other issue.2 According to researchers, teens who don’t receive good grades are more likely than their peers to use alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs.3 On the other hand, teens who do well in school are less likely to get involved with substance use.4

As their children become teens, parents sometimes feel that they no longer have a vital role in their child’s schooling. But the truth is that your guidance can help put your teen on the path to school success. When you are involved, you’re also helping your child bond with you—another protective factor when it comes to keeping your teen healthy and drug free.5 So, get involved with your teen’s education! You can—

* Take an active role in helping him to set up a schedule and manage his time. Let him plan for hanging out with his friends and going to fun school events, but be sure that he also makes time for hitting the books. During busy times when he has many exams and projects, help him keep up with his workload by scheduling extra time for doing homework and getting enough rest.
* Take an interest in what your teen is learning in school. Get updates on what happens in class, keep up with his work, stay in contact with his teachers, and attend back-to-school nights and parent-teacher conferences.
* Set clear expectations for schoolwork and grades. Discuss with your teen what her goals are and what you expect from her during the school year. When your teen does her homework, make sure that she sits at a desk or table in a well-lit area that is free from distraction. Let her know that you are available to help if she is having trouble.
* Be firm and consistent with rules. Talk with your child about how he should behave both in and out of school. Clearly define the rules and the consequences of breaking the rules. Enforce the rules and consequences appropriately and consistently.

There may be times when you and your teen need extra help. Your teen might be working on subjects that are new to you, too. Work with the school and your community to find support groups, skills development classes, peer tutors, counselors, or teachers who can lend a hand. These resources can help you get your teen on the track to school success.

Sources

Additional Resources

Arons, B.S. 1999. A preview of the new CMHS school violence prevention program. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. 2000. NCAPTion 1: Training Guide. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

Set clear expectations for schoolwork and grades. Discuss with your teen what his goals are and what you expect from him during the school year. When your teen does his homework, make sure that he sits at a desk or table in a well-lit area that is free from distraction. Let him know that you are available to help if he is having trouble

High school can be an ongoing lesson in time management as students try new activities and meet new people. They often juggle busy schedules and may want to push schoolwork aside to do other things. But teens who get good grades are more likely to choose to stay away from drugs.1 Monitor your child’s activities—and how he schedules them—to help him achieve school

• Help your teen manage time and set up a schedule
• Take an interest in what your teen is learning.
• Set clear expectations for schoolwork and grades.
• Be firm and consistent with rules.