Long-Term Follow-Up of Behavior Modification With High-Risk Adolescents

Abstract
This investigation reports on follow-up information received from past participants of a school-based social learning program designed for problem adolescents. The follow-up occurred approximately five years after the students' participation in the program. The attitudes and performance of 15 of the original 24 adolescents were assessed on a range of self-report measures, incorporating variables such as their employment and educational status, evaluation of program participation, involvement in leisure-time and community activities, relationships with family and friends, and anticipated aversive consequences of engaging in delinquent acts. Issues of importance to the execution of follow-up studies are reviewed. Data resulting from this pilot study fail to conclusively demonstrate the long-term merits of the behavioral program with this population.