Stronger Together Program: Justice for Latino Youth Involved in the Juvenile Justice System

Authors

• Leyla Feize, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Marisa Ugalde, The Counseling Center
• John M. Gonzalez, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Tamer Oraby, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-23-2026

Abstract

Adolescents are vulnerable to delinquent behaviors during their period of cognitive and emotional development. Latino adolescents are often more vulnerable to delinquency behaviors and are over-involved in the juvenile system. Ten Latino youths and 15 parents/guardians participated in a culturally adapted Functional Family Therapy (FFT) intervention program. The behavioral change of the youths was measured using pre- and post-test scores on the Sorensen Self-Esteem test questionnaire and the Low Self-Control Measure. The parents/guardians’ behavioral change was measured using pre- and post-test scores from the Family Interpersonal Relationship Questionnaire. The results indicated that the youths’ self-esteem increased. The change in self-control was not statistically significant. However, in a follow-up interview 3 months after the intervention, parents reported that their youths could manage their anger effectively. Six out of 10 youths completed the program and 3 months after the intervention, did not return to the juvenile system; however, the other four youths who did not complete the program had delinquent behaviors and returned to the juvenile system. Parents/guardians’ behavioral change in some areas was statistically significant, including expressing feelings and family dialogue. In the follow-up interview, they mentioned that they practiced the learned parental and communication skills and that their family dynamic consequently changed.

Comments

© The Author(s) 2026. Under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Recommended Citation

Feize, L., Ugalde, M., Gonzalez, J., & Oraby, T. (2026). Stronger Together Program: Justice for Latino Youth Involved in the Juvenile Justice System. Families in Society, 10443894261428510. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894261428510

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Publication Title

Families in Society

DOI

10.1177/10443894261428510