Perceived control and treatment outcome with chronic adolescent offenders

The relationship between perceived control and treatment outcome was explored with chronic adolescent offenders who exhibit internalizing or externalizing behavior problems. Data were examined from the records of 307 male adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 committed to a state training school for hard-core offenders. Adolescent offenders with externalizing behavior problems, such as aggression, showed a more favorable treatment outcome when they attributed overall successes to their own behavior and when they viewed themselves as worried or anxious. They showed a less favorable treatment outcome when they viewed themselves as generally happy. Adolescent offenders with internalizing behavior problems, such as anxiety or depression, tended to show less favorable treatment outcomes when they viewed themselves as being high in physical competence and when they attributed failures to themselves.