A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of the youth crime prevention program ‘New Perspectives’ (NP): Post-treatment changes and moderator effects

Abstract

Objectives New Perspectives (NP) aims to prevent that youth at onset of a criminal career will develop a more persistent criminal behavior pattern. The study aim was to examine whether NP was effective relative to care as usual in preventing and reducing (persistent) delinquency. Moreover, we examined improvements in secondary outcomes (e.g., peer and parent relationships and cognitive distortions) and other outcomes (e.g., substance use and self-esteem). Methods At-risk youth (N = 101) aged 12 to 19 years were randomly assigned to the intervention group (NP, n = 47) or control group (‘care as usual’, n = 54). The effects of the NP intensive phase (3 months after program start) and aftercare phase (6 months after program start) were analyzed. Results NP and care as usual did not differ on any of the outcome measures at both post-test occasions. The effects of NP were the same for boys and girls, different age groups, and ethnic groups. Conclusions The overall null-effects are discussed, including implications for further research, policy, and practice.