The utility of locus of control for assessing juvenile amenability to treatment

One of the many factors that must be considered when conducting juvenile risk assessments is treatment amenability. Traditionally, research on risk assessments has focused on treatment needs, likelihood of violence, and likelihood of recidivism. However, there has been little empirical guidance for assessing treatment amenability. This article proposes the possibility of using locus of control as a psychological construct to aid in assessing treatment amenability of juveniles. Through a review of the locus of control literature, the authors found that internal orientation has been found to relate to increased treatment participation, help-seeking behaviors, and positive treatment outcomes. Further, external orientation has been found to be related to poorer treatment participation and outcomes. While there is some debate whether locus of control is a static or a fluid phenomenon, its ability as a predictor of treatment amenability as well as an indicator of treatment response is discussed.