Bibliographies of Camp-related Research
Counterattack on Juvenile Delinquency: A Configurational Approach
Unkovic, C.M., Brown, W.R., & Mierswa, C.G.
Adolescence, 13.51 (1978) 401-410
Assessment of an intensive, military based, program to combat juvenile deviant behavior.
590 males, ages 14-17, attending a 1-week "intensive encampment" program. Boys were selected and placed in groups of 5 based on label (pre-delinquent as determined by committee, achievers, delinquents who were wards of the court, and expelled/suspended from school) and ethnicity. Minority youth were not placed with other minority youth or minority counselors. Subjects did not know each other or counselors, nor did they know the counselors role in society (ie. Police officer).
Pre-, post-tests, Behavioral index completed by teachers, deans and counselors, police, court and school records.
- Positive increase in self-worth; greater increase for subjects labeled as pre-delinquent, delinquent and expelled/suspended.
- Positive behavior change in all groups.