Outcomes of Aggression Replacement Training for US Adolescents in Residential Facilities

143 Pages·2017·0.78 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2016
Outcomes of Aggression Replacement Training for
U.S. Adolescents in Residential Facilities
Coral Ann Ondrus
Walden University
Follow this and additional works at:https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations
Part of theCognitive Psychology Commons,Developmental Psychology Commons, and the
Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons
This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been
accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please
[email protected].
Walden University

College of Counselor Education & Supervision

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Coral Ondrus

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Melinda Haley, Committee Chairperson, Counselor Education and Supervision
Faculty
Dr. Kristi Cannon, Committee Member, Counselor Education and Supervision Faculty
Dr. Theodore Remley, University Reviewer, Counselor Education and Supervision
Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2016
Abstract
Outcomes of Aggression Replacement Training for U.S. Adolescents in Residential
Facilities
by
Coral Ann Ondrus

MA, Edinboro University, 2010
BS, Edinboro University, 2006

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Counseling Education and Supervision

Walden University
May 2016
Abstract
A National Survey indicated that 1.6 million adolescents in the U.S. were arrested in
2010 and 1.5 million in 2011 for erratic aggressive behaviors, thus showing a decline
from the 2.18 million adolescent arrests in 2007. Residential facilities in the state of
Pennsylvania offer a group intervention called Aggression Replacement Training (ART)
to help adjudicated adolescents regain control of erratic behaviors. The purpose of this
study was to examine the extent to which level of group participation in ART and certain
demographic factors (age, gender, ethnicity, family socioeconomic status, parental
involvement, and education) predict decreased aggression and increased anger control
among these youth. Cognitive theory and change theory were used to guide this causal-
comparative investigation. The overarching research question was, does a youth’s level
of ART group participation (i.e., attentive, inattentive, and resistant) result in a
subsequent reduction in risk assessment as measured by post Aggression Questionnaire
score differences. Data were collected for the period of 2011-2014 from archival records
from 5 residential facilities (n = 160) in Pennsylvania and were statistically analyzed.
Findings from an analysis of variance indicate that ART group participation predict
decreased erratic aggressive behaviors and increased anger control among adolescents.
Findings from multiple regression analyses indicate that parental involvement predicts
attentive participation level, whereas ART group participation, gender, and parental
involvement predicted a reduction in risk assessment. Study findings may assist other
treatment facilities and affiliated agencies in the U.S. with developing and implementing
effective interventions for youth who exhibit erratic aggressive behaviors.
Outcomes of Aggression Replacement Training for U.S. Adolescents in Residential
Facilities
by
Coral Ann Ondrus

MA, Edinboro University, 2010
BS, Edinboro University, 2006

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Counseling Education and Supervision

Walden University
May 2016
Dedication
I would like to dedicate this dissertation to my late husband, F. Thomas Ondrus,
who believed in me and supported me in completing my educational goals beyond his
lifetime. I would also like to thank my mentor Mark Diplacido for remaining a positive
support system throughout my internship and dissertation. His support along with others
within the Perseus House Corporation went above and beyond helping me stay on task
and supporting me through some trying times during this process.
Finally, I also want to thank my four children, Michael Sowers Jr., Krystal
Sowers, Joshua Kennedy, and Jacob Kennedy, for standing behind their mother and
assisting me throughout my educational adventure over the years. This process has taught
me never to be afraid to reach out and ask for guidance to help walk my path in life. I feel
that my path is to continue to reach out and help those as much as all of my supporters
have helped me, thus enhancing social change as my path in life continues.
Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge all of the people who have helped me through my
dissertation process. I first would like to acknowledge and thank my chair, Dr. Melinda
Haley, my methodologist, Dr. Kristi Cannon, and my University Research Reviewers, Dr.
Shelley Jackson, Ted Remley, and Dr. Laura Haddock, at Walden University. Thank you
for all your guidance, encouragement, and support through this process of completing my
dissertation. Thank you for your immeasurable hours dedicated in aiding me through
advising, editing, expertise, and determination that have empowered me to grow into a
professional scholar and develop personally in my present and future accomplishments.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge my research site, staff, classmates, and
faculty at Walden University for assistance and allowing me to accomplish my
educational goal of attaining my Ph.D.
Table of Contents
List of Figures ......................................................................................................................v
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Introduction ....................................................................................................................1
Background ....................................................................................................................4
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................7
Purpose of Study ............................................................................................................8
Research Questions and Hypotheses .............................................................................8
Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................11
Nature of Study ............................................................................................................14
Definitions....................................................................................................................15
Assumptions .................................................................................................................18
Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................18
Limitations ...................................................................................................................20
Significance..................................................................................................................20
Summary ......................................................................................................................21
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................23
Introduction ..................................................................................................................23
Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................25
Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................25
Cognitive Theory .................................................................................................. 26
Change Theory ...................................................................................................... 31
i
Literature Review.........................................................................................................33
Aggression Replacement Training ........................................................................ 34
Parental Involvement ............................................................................................ 40
Education and Social Economic Status ................................................................. 41
Age….. .................................................................................................................. 43
Gender ................................................................................................................... 45
Ethnicity ................................................................................................................ 45
Summary ......................................................................................................................46
Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................49
Introduction ..................................................................................................................49
Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................50
Methodology ................................................................................................................53
Population ....................................................................................................................54
Sampling Procedures ...................................................................................................56
Sampling Strategy ........................................................................................................56
Sample size ..................................................................................................................57
Archival Data Procedures ............................................................................................59
Instrumentation ............................................................................................................61
Instrument Reliability and Validity .............................................................................62
Validity ........................................................................................................................64
Content Validity ...........................................................................................................65
Operationalization and Definitions ..............................................................................66
ii
Data Analysis of Plan...................................................................................................69
Threats to Validity .......................................................................................................75
Ethical Concerns ..........................................................................................................76
Summary ......................................................................................................................77
Chapter 4: Results ..............................................................................................................79
Introduction ..................................................................................................................79
Data Collection ............................................................................................................79
Results ..........................................................................................................................81
One-Way ANOVA................................................................................................ 82
Post Hoc Analysis ................................................................................................. 85
Multiple Regressions ............................................................................................ 87
Summary ......................................................................................................................94
Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations ............................................97
Introduction ..................................................................................................................97
Interpretations of the Findings .....................................................................................98
Limitations of the Study.............................................................................................108
Recommendations ......................................................................................................110
Implications................................................................................................................110
Conclusion .................................................................................................................112
References ........................................................................................................................114
Appendix A: Data Use Agreement ..................................................................................128
Appendix B: Permission to Reprint Portions of the Aggression Questionnaire ..............131
iii