Critical aspects of institutional programs for youths

This study examines aspects of institutional life that influence, for better or worse, the treatment of adolescent residents. Psychosocial development of 802 youths was measured by four indices, internality, self-concept, opportunism and number of deviant signs. Subjects were interviewed while placed at fourteen residential and five alternative day treatment programs. An analysis of 200 youths' developmental progress after two to five months of treatment showed slight positive changes among institutional residents and negative changes among day treatment youths. Canonical correlation analysis of measures suggested three main types of programs: the positive program which produced the most mature youths, the poorly staffed facility which went with delinquent personality development, and the underfinanced but caring program which seemed to foster more disturbed personality profiles.