Abstract

In the present study, effect of individual counseling by volunteer counselors was evaluated by comparing the recidivism rate during the 2-year probation period of 171 juvenile delinquents on probation who were provided with monthly individual counseling by volunteers (Counseling Group) to the recidivism rate of another group of 256 juvenile delinquents monitored through routine monthly meetings with probation officer(Non-counseling Group). The results showed that the overall rate of recidivism did not differ for the Counseling(31%) and Non-counseling Group(39%). Stepwise discriminant function analyses with regard to recidivism during the 2-year probation period revealed that age and prior record of delinquency (Counseling Group), and history of running away from home prior to age 15 and mother's education level(Non-counseling Group) were highly correlated with the discriminant function in the respective groups.