Perceptions of Chances for Success - Subject Release
This measure appears in the following time-points: Release.
Related Construct
Description of Measure
The Perceptions of Chances for Success measure (also called perceptions of opportunity) was adapted from the work of Menard & Elliott (1996) to assess the adolescent's prediction of his/her future adult success. In the release interview, items from the measure tap the adolescent's investment in and perceived likelihood for achievement in several areas upon their release from the institution. Additional questions assess the subject's perception of the helpfulness of the institution in preparing the adolescent for their return to the community (e.g., "Before leaving X we have to make specific plans", "The residents at X are strongly encouraged to plan for the future"). Participants respond on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree".
One score is computed:
- Future orientation of the program [r0planning]; mean of six items
The following individual items are also available:
- Do you know where you will live when released [R0KnoWhr]
- Where will/where do you live after release [R0LivWhr]
- How old do you think you will live to be [R0Fut01]
- Do you think you will be back to this facility again [R0Fut02]
- How important is it to you to stay out of trouble after release [R0Fut03]
- How helpful do you think the program here has been for you [R0Fut04]
- Have plans to get a job when released [R0Plan09]
- Did staff help you make these plans [R0Plan10]
- Chances of succeeding at this plan [R0Plan11]
- Have plans to go to school when released [R0Plan12]
- Did staff help you make these plans [R0Plan13]
- Chances of succeeding at this plan [R0Plan14]
- Have plans to earn a good living when released [R0Plan15]
- Did staff help you make these plans [R0Plan16]
- Chances of succeeding at this plan [R0Plan17]
- Have plans for a place to live when released [R0Plan18]
- Did staff help you make these plans [R0Plan19]
- Chances of succeeding at this plan [R0Plan20]
- Have plans to get along with your family when released [R0Plan21]
- Did staff help you make these plans [R0Plan22]
- Chances of succeeding at this plan [R0Plan23]
- Have plans to make new friends when released [R0Plan24]
- Did staff help you make these plans [R0Plan25]
- Chances of succeeding at this plan [R0Plan26]
- Have plans to get married when released [R0Plan27]
- Did staff help you make these plans [R0Plan28]
- Chances of succeeding at this plan [R0Plan29]
- Have plans to stay out of trouble with the law when released [R0Plan30]
- Did staff help you make these plans [R0Plan31]
- Chances of succeeding at this plan [R0Plan32]
The scale in this measure ("future orientation of the program") was used in the development of the eight dimensions of organizational functioning. For a full description of the dimensions can be found in the "Dimensions of Organizational Functioning" codebook section.
Data Issues
- While some questions in this measure are the same as those in the subject baseline and subject follow-up measure, others are exclusive to the release interview, so a parallel version of the summary scores in the baseline and follow-up measures cannot be recreated here. All questions instead are left as individual items.
- Items regarding whether staff helped the subject make plans, and the subject's perceived chances of succeeding at these plans are only asked if the subject endorses having a current, concrete plan for that item.
- Item R0KnoWhr (do you know where you will lived upon your release) is only asked if the subject is still at the release facility at the time of the interview. This is established by variable R0StillThere; refer to the Interview Information measure for more information about this variable.
- Item R0LivWhr (where will you live upon your release / where do you live now that you were released) is only asked if R0KnoWhr is Yes, or if R0StillThere is No.
- Options 7 (own home - alone) and 8 (own home - with significant other and/or children) were added to the interview in version 01.16.
References
- These questions were revised from the set used in the National Youth Survey -- Prediction of Adult Success (Menard & Elliott, 1996).
- Delbert S. Elliot, David Huizinga, and Scott Menard (1989) Multiple Problem Youth: Delinquency, Substance Use, and Mental Health Problems (New York: Springer-Verlag).
- Menard, S. and Elliott, D. S. (1996). Prediction of adult success using stepwise logistic regression analysis. A report prepared for the MacArthur Foundation by the MacArthur Chicago-Denver Neighborhood Project.
- Elliott, D.S., (1990). National Youth Survey. Institute of Behavioral Science. University of Colorado.
- Moos, R. (1997). Evaluating Treatment Environments. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers
- Coates, R., Miller, A., and Ohlin, L. (1978). Diversity in a youth correctional system. Cambridge, MA: Ballinger Publishing Company