2019 Volume 57 Issue 1 Pages 59-68
The present study reports training provided to staff at a residential juvenile training school who were supporting juvenile delinquents with special needs (approximately 12 to 20 years old). The training was intended to help the staff understand the youths' behavior and to develop appropriate approaches. The training was a 1.5-hour lecture, given on 3 occasions, and focused on understanding the meaning of the youths' behavior in the context of applied behavior analysis and positive involvement. The 37 staff members whose data were analyzed ranged in age from 25 to 58 years, average 40.1 years. Before and after the training, the staff completed the multiple-choice instrument called the Knowledge of Behavioral Principles as Applied to Children (KBPAC), which measures knowledge of behavioral theory. The results were used to evaluate the efficacy of the training. In addition, after the training, the staff completed questionnaires asking about their satisfaction with the content of the training. Although reported satisfaction was high, a need was expressed for a deeper exploration of individual case studies and specifıc approaches tailored to that particular institution. Also, a need for further consideration of training methods and content was suggested.
