Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a single treatment modality vs. a combination of treatment modalities (e.g., individual therapy, group therapy, and 12-step treatment) over time with adolescents who participated in the DATOS-A study. Additionally, the study looked at whether adolescent females were more likely than adolescent males to benefit from group therapy or 12-step groups. A two-way ANOVA was used to measure four dependent variables: mental health symptoms (e.g., anxiety and depressive symptoms); involvement in status offenses and/or criminal offenses; the number of days spent drinking; and substance use (e.g., marijuana, hashish, and THC). A chi-square test was used to determine whether or not gender and/or types of treatment modalities affected an adolescent's completion of the drug treatment program. Results indicated no statistical significance for interaction of treatment modalities and the other dependent variables between the intake and the follow-up interview. However, there was statistical significance for the decrease of alcohol and substance use over time. Although the hypotheses were not supported, this does not mean that the types of treatment modalities do not affect the outcome of treatment. Small sample size, as well as the focus of the treatment programs on substance abuse, may have contributed to the lack of significance of the finding. More research is needed that examines the interaction of the effects of the different treatment modalities and outcome variables to determine the best ecological approach to intervention for adolescent offenders.