(PS3-15) Identifying Risk Factors for Restrictive Behavioral Interventions in Juvenile Detention

Abstract Text: The theoretical underpinnings of behavioral interventions dictate that principles of learning theory can be used to modify behavior. Behavioral interventions for youth in juvenile detention follow this rationale, with restrictive behavioral interventions often consisting of consequential techniques (e.g., removing certain freedoms) to decrease the likelihood of undesirable behaviors and misconduct from re-occurring. However, given the negative social and emotional outcomes associated with restrictive interventions within juvenile detention facilities, it is important to examine risk factors for their use. Levels of internalizing symptomatology may uniquely present as a risk factor, as well as potentially moderate associations between perceptions of containment and restrictive interventions found in the literature. This study explores the association between youth self-reported levels of anxiety, depression, and perceived containment and facility personnel’s use and frequency of restrictive behavioral interventions while detained. Given the multi-tiered levels of restrictive interventions used within juvenile detention centers (i.e., higher restrictions for more serious misconduct), associations were examined at different levels of restrictive intervention. Detained youth (N = 124; 71.8% Male; 11-17 years old, Mage=15.61, SDage=1.38) self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms and perceptions of containment. Facilities reported Tier 2 (e.g., room restrictions, lockdowns) and Tier 3 (e.g., restraints, more permanent restrictions) restrictive intervention use (i.e., Risk) and Count for each youth. Symptoms of anxiety (b=-.603, p=.007) and perceived containment (b=-.521, p=.012) were negatively associated with Tier 2 Count. The association between perceived containment and Tier 3 Risk depended on levels of anxiety (b=1.00, p=.054) and depression (b=1.66, p=.054) while the association between perceived containment and Tier 3 Count depended on levels of anxiety (b=.691, p=.013). Overall, low levels of perceived containment were only associated with Tier 3 interventions when levels of internalizing symptoms were low. Findings help clarify individual-level factors that increase susceptibility for restrictive behavioral interventions and offer insight into potential targets for proactive strategies to limit restrictive intervention use.