Measuring Group Care Worker Interventions in Residential Youth Care

Abstract

Background

By interacting with children, group care workers shape daily living environments to influence treatment. Current literature
provides little knowledge about the content of youth residential care.

Objective

In this study, a questionnaire called the Group care worker Intervention Checklist was developed.

Method

Group care workers completed the questionnaires for 212 children placed in youth residential care in the Netherlands.

Results

Factor analyses revealed three constructs: controlling, warmth/support, and autonomy granting. Reliability of these scales
proved to be good. Controlling was associated with Externalizing Behavior Problems while both Warmth/Support and Autonomy
Granting were associated with Internalizing Behavior Problems.

Conclusions

These findings imply that group care worker interventions can be reliably measured and are related to child problem behavior.

Content Type Journal Article
Category Original Paper
Pages 1-14
DOI 10.1007/s10566-012-9176-8
Authors
- Inge L. W. Bastiaanssen, Praktikon, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Gert Kroes, Praktikon, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Karin S. Nijhof, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Marc J. M. H. Delsing, Praktikon, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Rutger C. M. E. Engels, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Jan Willem Veerman, Praktikon, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Journal Child and Youth Care Forum
Online ISSN 1573-3319
Print ISSN 1053-1890