Abstract

Young people with neurodevelopmental disorders are overrepresented in the youth justice system and face many disadvantages due to their impairments. The current study investigated what factors predict and contribute to the behavior of youth justice professionals working in the Queensland (QLD) youth justice system, utilizing a behavior change wheel framework. Eighty-one youth justice professionals participated in an online survey assessing capability, opportunity and motivation and additional open-ended questions capturing their recommendations for improvement. Results demonstrated that training frequency, capability, opportunity and motivation significantly predicted behaviors to identify and support young people with neurodevelopmental disorders (i.e., target behaviors). Capability (p = <.001) and motivation (p = .02) were significant independent predictors of the target behaviors. Examination of open-ended responses provided by the youth justice professionals identified several key areas, consistent with existing literature, which were in need of modifications to further support young people with neurodevelopmental disorders. These included: use of language, availability of resources, increased liaison with stakeholders, and knowledge and understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders. Overall, the current results provide helpful directions in terms of future targets for implementation strategies and interventions to better support young people with neurodevelopmental conditions who are involved with the QLD youth justice system.

摘要

患有神经发育障碍的年轻人在青年司法系统中的比例过高，并且由于他们的缺陷而面临许多不利条件。目前的研究利用行为改变轮框架调查了哪些因素可以预测和促进在昆士兰 (QLD) 青年司法系统工作的青年司法专业人员的行为。81 名青年司法专业人士参加了一项在线调查，评估能力、机会和动机以及其他开放式问题，以获取他们的改进建议。结果表明，训练频率、能力、机会和动机显着预测了识别和支持患有神经发育障碍的年轻人的行为（即目标行为）。能力（p= <.001) 和动机 ( p = .02) 是目标行为的重要独立预测因子。对青年司法专业人员提供的开放式答复进行检查，确定了几个与现有文献一致的关键领域，这些领域需要修改以进一步支持患有神经发育障碍的年轻人。其中包括：语言的使用、资源的可用性、与利益相关者的联系增加，以及对神经发育障碍的知识和理解。总体而言，目前的结果为实施战略和干预措施的未来目标提供了有益的方向，以更好地支持参与昆士兰州青年司法系统的有神经发育状况的年轻人。