ABSTRACT
Several studies have used interdependent group contingencies to decrease disruptive behavior and increase appropriate behavior for groups of adolescents. In addition, one study demonstrated that rules plus feedback about rule violations, without additional group contingencies, decreased problem behavior and increased appropriate behavior for adolescents in three classrooms within a residential juvenile facility. Given the rapid behavior change observed in the aforementioned study, it is possible behavior changes were produced by reactivity to obtrusive observation from program implementers. To address this question, we used two A-B designs in conjunction with the conservative dual-criterion (CDC) method to evaluate the extent to which obtrusive observation alone and rules, without systematic consequences, decreased problem behaviors in two classrooms within a residential juvenile facility. Results from visual and CDC analyses indicate that (a) obtrusive observation did not affect problem behavior in either classroom and (b) rules decreased problem behavior in both classrooms and increased appropriate behavior in one classroom. In addition, a measure of social validity indicated that the procedures and outcomes were acceptable to the classroom teacher.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Problem Behavior , Adolescent , Humans , Research Design , Residential Facilities , Residential TreatmentABSTRACT
Abstract This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of burnout and its three components (emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and lack of self-fulfilment) in the staff of juvenile facilities in Spain, and to analyze the predictive capacity of various epidemiological and occupational factors regarding the likelihood of suffering the aforementioned syndrome. For this end, a quantitative cross-sectional research was carried out with a sample of 160 professionals by means of an ad hoc questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The burnout results in juvenile facilities show an average impact of emotional exhaustion (40%) and self-fulfilment (41.2%) and a low depersonalisation (55.6%). Likewise, it is confirmed that the location and the age of the centre are significant sources of variation in emotional exhaustion, as well as gender is in depersonalisation, and profession in self-fulfilment. In conclusion, the greatest predisposition to suffer Burnout occurs in unmarried women aged between 34 and 43, with little work experience, permanent contract and working as social educators or social workers in alternate shifts (morning or afternoon) in urban centres.
Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência da síndrome de burnout e de seus três componentes (esgotamento emocional, despersonalização e falta de realização pessoal) no pessoal de alguns centros de menores na Espanha e analisar a capacidade preditiva de diversos fatores epidemiológicos e profissionais sobre a probabilidade de padecer dessa síndrome. Para isso, realizou-se uma pesquisa quantitativa de corte transversal numa amostra de 160 profissionais mediante a aplicação de um questionário elaborado ad hoc e do Maslach Burnout Inventory. Os resultados obtidos mostram uma incidência média em esgotamento emocional (40%) e realização pessoal (41,2%), e uma baixa despersonalização (55,6%) no burnout de profissionais de centros de menores. Além disso, confirma-se que a localização do centro e a antiguidade são fontes significativas de variação no esgotamento emocional, bem como o sexo na despersonalização, e a profissão na realização pessoal. Em conclusão, a maior pré-disposição a sofrer burnout é produzida em mulheres solteiras, com idade entre 34 e 43 anos, com pouca experiência profissional, contrato fixo e que trabalham como educadoras ou trabalhadoras sociais em períodos alternados (manhã ou tarde) dos centros localizados em centros urbanos.
Resumen El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la prevalencia del síndrome de burnout y de sus tres componentes (agotamiento emocional, despersonalización y falta de realización personal) en el personal de algunos centros de menores en España y analizar la capacidad predictiva de diversos factores epidemiológicos y laborales sobre la probabilidad de padecer dicho síndrome. Para ello, se llevó a cabo una investigación cuantitativa de corte transversal en una muestra de 160 profesionales mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario elaborado ad hoc y el Maslach Burnout Inventory. Los resultados obtenidos muestran una incidencia media en agotamiento emocional (40 %) y realización personal (41.2 %), y una baja despersonalización (55.6 %) en el burnout de profesionales de centros de menores. Asimismo, se confirma que la ubicación del centro y la antigüedad son fuentes significativas de variación en el agotamiento emocional, así como el sexo en la despersonalización, y la profesión en la realización personal. En conclusión, la mayor predisposición a sufrir burnout se produce en mujeres solteras y con edades entre los 34 y 43 años, con poca experiencia laboral, contrato fijo, y que trabajan como educadoras o trabajadoras sociales en turnos alternos (mañana o tarde) de los centros ubicados en cascos urbanos.
Subject(s)
Burnout, Professional , Occupational StressABSTRACT
The present study examined the validity and reliability of the Adolescent Treatment Motivation Questionnaire (ATMQ) in a sample of 264 adolescents in Dutch secure juvenile facilities. Confirmatory factor analysis of a single-factor model of "treatment motivation" showed a close fit to the data, indicating construct validity of the ATMQ. Concurrent validity was supported by significant relations between treatment motivation and living group climate. Internal consistency reliability in terms of Cronbach's alpha was good (.84). The ATMQ proved to be insensitive to the tendency to provide socially acceptable or desirable answers, which supports discriminant validity, and was unrelated to sex, age, and self-reported aggression of the adolescents. The ATMQ is a parsimonious instrument (11 items) enabling future research on treatment motivation in secure juvenile facilities.
