Short-Term Brain-Based Growth Mindset Pilot Intervention Indicates Potential of Diversion Programs For Early Offenders in the Juvenile Justice System

Abstract

The goal of the present research was to determine if a Brain-Based Growth Mindset Pilot Intervention implemented in a juvenile detention facility could change a set of beliefs surrounding self-efficacy and knowledge over one’s brain. Previous studies show that growth mindset interventions are most effective with youth from low socioeconomic households, and targeting changes in beliefs is particularly effective during adolescence because of the developmental milestones that accompany puberty. Detained juveniles tend to be adolescent minorities of low-income backgrounds with a higher number of adverse childhood experiences. Twenty-six detained juveniles participated in the pilot intervention. The intervention consisted of four, 30-minute lessons on neuroanatomy of the brain, neural plasticity, emotional regulation, and long-term neuronal development. Impact of the intervention was quantified by a Brain Health Intervention Scale (BHIS). The scale consisted of 31 affirm/deny statements that were designed to measure the knowledge gained or opinion changed by the participant about the brain. Analysis of pre- and postintervention scores on the BHIS indicate that this pilot intervention was a success with significant increases in knowledge from preintervention scores to post- intervention scores. Success in the intervention was negatively correlated with the number of previous detainments. Interventions that occur within the context of juvenile detentions must occur early, before multiple detainments have made it difficult to reverse the fixed mindset in previously detained youth. Results add further evidence that successful growth mindset interventions can be low-cost and light-touch. Brain-based growth mindset interventions must be explored early on as a diversion alternative for juvenile offenders.