Research summaryThe primary outcome desired for juvenile delinquency programs is the cessation of delinquent and related problematic behaviors. However, this outcome is almost always pursued by attempting to change intermediate outcomes, such as family functioning, improved mental health, or peer relations. We can conceptualize intermediate outcomes that are related to reduced delinquency as change levers for effective intervention. A large meta‐analysis identified several school‐related change levers, including school engagement (i.e., improved attendance and reduced truancy), nondelinquent problem behaviors, and attitudes about school and teachers. In addition, family functioning and reducing substance use were also effective change levers. In contrast, effects on youth getting/keeping a job, peer relationships, and academic achievement were not associated with reduced delinquency.Policy implicationsOnly a small percentage of rehabilitative programs provided to youth involved in the juvenile justice system have been established as evidence based. Moreover, there are constraints on what local policy makers and practitioners can do regarding the selection, adoption, and implementation of programs from the available lists of evidence‐based programs. Adopting programs that focus on effective change levers and avoiding those that concentrate on ineffective ones has the potential to increase the likelihood that a local agency is engaged in effective programming. Based on our data, programs known to improve family functioning, attachment to and involvement in schooling, and reducing substance use are justified by the change lever evidence, even if these programs’ effectiveness in reducing delinquency has not been directly proven. In contrast, programs focusing on vocational skills, academic achievement, and peer relations are less likely to be beneficial. Furthermore, a change lever perspective can help frontline staff select appropriate programs for different juvenile offenders and focus their quality control efforts on those aspects of a program that are likely to be essential to maintaining effectiveness.

中文翻译：

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通过关注变革杠杆来扩大有效的青少年犯罪项目：来自大型荟萃分析的证据

研究摘要 青少年犯罪项目期望的主要成果是停止犯罪和相关问题行为。然而，这种结果几乎总是通过试图改变中间结果来追求，例如家庭功能、心理健康的改善或同伴关系。我们可以将与减少犯罪相关的中间结果概念化为有效干预的变革杠杆。一项大型荟萃分析确定了几个与学校相关的变革杠杆，包括学校参与度（即提高出勤率和减少逃学）、非不良问题行为以及对学校和教师的态度。此外，家庭功能和减少药物使用也是有效的改变杠杆。相比之下，对青少年获得/保住工作、同伴关系和学业成绩的影响与犯罪率的降低无关。政策影响 只有一小部分向参与少年司法系统的青少年提供的康复计划是基于证据的。此外，地方政策制定者和从业者在从现有的循证计划清单中选择、采用和实施计划方面可以做的事情也受到限制。采用专注于有效变革杠杆的计划并避免专注于无效变革杠杆的计划，有可能增加地方机构参与有效计划的可能性。根据我们的数据，已知的改善家庭功能、对学校教育的依恋和参与以及减少药物使用的计划是通过变革杠杆证据证明是合理的，即使这些计划在减少犯罪方面的有效性尚未得到直接证明。相比之下，专注于职业技能、学术成就和同伴关系的项目不太可能有益。此外，改变杠杆的视角可以帮助一线工作人员为不同的少年犯选择适当的方案，并将质量控制工作集中在方案中可能对保持有效性至关重要的方面。