Sociometric measures were used to predict help seeking behaviors of youth in a residential treatment center. Seventeen female adolescents with conduct disorders were asked to choose three peers in their group who were most popular, similar, and competent. These sociometric measures were correlated with the degree to which the participants would seek help from their peers across four problem scenarios representing actual situations encountered in residential settings. A multiple linear regression analysis suggested that sociometric measures of “competence” was the best predictor of intentions to seek help across the problem scenarios. Discussion focused on the implications of using sociometric measures within a residential treatment setting.
Copyright © 1994 John Wiley & Sons. Article published by John Wiley & Sons in Behavioral Interventions, volume 9, issue number 2, April 1994, pages 87-92. Available online on February 13, 2006:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bin.2360090203