QOL & Delinquency by Keith Torkelson MS, BS
Abstract
>This report deals with two
aspects of growing up. One is the quality of life for a youth or transitional
age youth and the other is a measurement of delinquency. We reference the material
from Seattle Quality of Life (SEAQOL) group. We transformed an assessment
maintaining the original questions into a 15 item scale. We scored the subject
of this study Keith Torkelson retroactively for 1973 which should be about the
time he was in the 8th grade. His Youth Quality of Life score for
1973 is 70.3% with high scores being favorable. We scored it again on July 25th
2025 and Keith scored 82.7% for Quality of Life score. The primary thing we
could do to improve our quality of life is to get more exercise such as
strength training and aerobic training. So from the youth questionnaire we
discovered that it did not capture well Keith’s experience growing up. So we
created an assessment that we called the delinquency test and once again we
scored it retroactively for 1973 when Keith would have been in the 8th
grade. For that period-of-time we calculated Keith’s delinquency test score is
57.3%. On July 25th, 2025 Keith earned 19.8% on his delinquency
test. We conclude this study with some
material about being an adolescent or transitional age youth in troubled times.
Our goal here is helping others to improve their quality of life through
understanding and problem solving.
Results up Front - Describing
Your Life
Youth Quality of Life Instrument
– Short Form (YQOL-SF) Version 2.0
https://youthrex.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/YQoL-TM.pdf
(Research Version) (6 Pages)
Credit - Donald L. Patrick, PhD,
MSPH & Todd C. Edwards, PhD
Copyright © 2013 University of Washington
Was Scored: NOT AT ALL 0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 VERY MUCH
This was before he had severe psycho-social problems
Buster Self-score Retroactive
Youth Quality of Life Score – 15 Items – Strengths-based
Instruments
>This assessment fails to capture Buster’s lived experience so we decided to make another to measure delinquency in general.
Seattle Quality of Life Group - Measure
and observer-reported measures.
Evaluation Measures - Youth
Quality of Life Instrument – 15 Items
(Research Version)
Overview
The Youth Quality of Life Instrument – ResearchVersion (YQOL-R) measures generic quality oflife in youth with and without chronic conditions and disabilities. Scales And / Or Subscales - In addition to a total score, four domains havebeen identified from the YQOL-R: Senseof Self, Social Relationships, Culture andCommunity, and General Quality of Life.
In House > Metadata >
Youth Quality of Life-Short Form Instrument (YQOL-SF)
[SOURCE OF INSTRUMENT WE
LEVERAGED HERE]
Youth Quality of Life Instrument (Research Version) –YouthREX
https://youthrex.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/YQoL-TM.pdf
YQoL-TM (6 Pages – DITTO) PDF
Quality of Life Group (SeaQoL),
based at the University of Washington.
The distribution fees for most SeaQoL instruments are: free for students and requesters in developing countries; $200 for non-profit/ academic/government use; and$500 for corporate use. There are additional fees for translations.
Seattle Quality of Life Group
(SeaQoL) Archive
https://github.com/DonaldPatrick/SeaQolInstruments/tree/main?tab=readme-ov-file#1about-seaqol
About SeaQoL
For more than three decades the Seattle Quality of Life Group in the UW School of Public Health advanced the science—and everyday practice—of measuring how people feel and function while living with health conditions, disabilities, or social stigma. SeaQoL’s multidisciplinary team created rigorously validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments, consulted for regulators and sponsors, and trained the next generation of outcomes scientists. As the program sunsets in 2025, we are releasing all instruments, scoring code, and manuals under an open license so the work can continue to benefit clinicians, researchers, and—most importantly—patients.
Patient-reported outcomes
Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are data about a patient's health status, collected directly from the patient, encompassing symptoms, functional status, and the impact of health conditions on their well-being. These outcomes are crucial for understanding a patient's experience, informing treatment decisions, and improving the overall quality of care.
Does it pay to take assessments
retroactively?
Whether it "pays" to take assessments retroactively depends on the specific context and your individual situation. In some cases, like tax appeals or insurance claims, a retrospective assessment can lead to refunds or lower costs. However, in other contexts like clinical psychology, retrospective self-reports can be less reliable and introduce biases.
Self-assessment introducing bias
Self-assessments are vulnerable to various cognitive biases that can distort an individual's evaluation of their own performance and abilities. These biases can lead to inaccurate conclusions, with individuals often overestimating their strengths and underestimating their weaknesses.
Objective Strengths-based
Assessments
Objective strengths-based assessments are tools designed to measure and identify an individual's innate positive qualities, talents, and character traits, shifting focus from deficits to assets to promote growth and well-being. Popular examples include the Clifton Strengths assessment, which identifies unique talents from 34 themes, and the VIA Character Strengths Survey, which assesses character strengths like kindness and perseverance. These assessments help individuals, teams, and organizations leverage their core strengths for personal development, improved relationships, career success, and enhanced resilience.
Youth Quality of Life Instruments
(YQOL)
Seattle Quality of Life Group
(SEAQOL)
Credit goes to > Metadata >
http://depts.washington.edu/seaqol/YQOL
Youth Quality of Life Instruments
(YQOL)
The YQOL instrument assesses multi-dimensionally the generic quality of life of youth ages 11-18 years of age. YQOL development is proceeding to include both generic and condition-specific measures.
Their Format
FYI - About 20 Instruments
https://github.com/DonaldPatrick/SeaQolInstruments/tree/main?tab=readme-ov-file#1about-seaqol
About the instruments in this
repository
The collection spans adult, youth, and observer-report measures and observer-reported measures.
>Assumption – We assume we fit the “you may”
category because we reformatted the assessment, gave credit to the owner, aren’t
charging any fees and so forth. If we
needed to, we could swap in our WHO-QOL-BREF material including scores. Finally as a life-long-learner we would be
considered a Student.
Assessment Transformation (Format
Change)
Assessment transformation is the fundamental reshaping of assessment practices, shifting from a sole focus on evaluating and ranking students to a more holistic approach that promotes meaningful learning, supports student growth, and informs instructional decisions. This transformation involves changes in the assessment infrastructure, dialogue between teachers and students, and the overall orientation from summative (of learning) to formative (for learning) assessment. The goal is to create a more equitable and effective system that helps students develop competency and achieve a greater understanding of the world.
Youth Assessment for a
Delinquency
A youth assessment for delinquency involves evaluating a young person's risk factors, needs, and strengths to determine appropriate interventions and support services. This process typically includes a screening to identify potential risks and needs, followed by a more in-depth assessment using standardized tools and techniques. The information gathered helps inform case planning and ongoing monitoring to address the youth's specific situation and reduce the likelihood of further delinquency.
Key Components of a Youth
Assessment for Delinquency:
Screening: Initial identification of potential risks and needs. This can involve brief questionnaires or interviews to determine if further, more in-depth assessment is needed. In-depth Assessment: Using standardized tools like the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI) or the Juvenile Risk Assessment (JRA) to gather detailed information about various domains, including:
Closure on the Past
Closure on the past means achieving a personal sense of completion, peace, and release from painful events or relationships by acknowledging the past, grieving the loss, and taking responsibility for moving forward. Key strategies include engaging in self-reflection and journaling, creating personal rituals, establishing future plans, and practicing self-compassion. If you find yourself stuck in unresolved pain that interferes with daily life, seeking guidance from a mental health professional can provide tools and support to heal.
Psychosocial Healing
Psychosocial healing is a holistic process focused on fostering psychological and social well-being by addressing the interconnected mental, emotional, and social aspects of individuals, families, and communities. It involves developing coping skills, improving social functioning, and using various therapeutic and community-based interventions to heal psychological and social wounds from trauma, mental illness, or major life stressors. Strategies include individual therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), social skills training, vocational support, community integration
Scored by and for Keith “Buster” Torkelson, MS, BS
RT = Real Time | LSF = Low Scores are Favorable | SW = Share (d) With
Delinquency Test 24 Items
|
## |
Domain |
1973
Retro 2025 0704 (F) SW-Solo |
2025
0725 F-RT SW-JB |
|
|
History |
|
|
|
01 |
-Juvenile
justice history: |
0.00 |
0.25 |
|
02 |
Prior
offenses |
0.00 |
0.25 |
|
03 |
Involvement
with the system |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
|
-Family
and Living Situation: |
|
|
|
04 |
Troublesome
family dynamics |
0.75 |
0.25 |
|
05 |
Living
arrangement problems |
0.75 |
0.50 |
|
06 |
Inadequate
support systems |
0.50 |
0.25 |
|
|
-Peers:
|
|
|
|
07 |
Unhealthy
social connections |
1.00 |
0.25 |
|
08 |
Negative
peer influence |
1.00 |
0.00 |
|
09 |
Unhealthy
peer relationships |
0.50 |
0.25 |
|
|
-Education
& employment |
|
|
|
10 |
Poor
school performance |
0.75 |
0.00 |
|
11 |
Poor
attendance |
0.75 |
0.25 |
|
12 |
Poor
vocational skills |
1.00 |
0.00 |
|
13 |
Anti-social
Skills |
0.75 |
0.00 |
|
|
-Social
skills |
|
|
|
14 |
Poor
problem-solving abilities |
0.25 |
0.25 |
|
15 |
Trouble
with conflict resolution |
1.00 |
0.25 |
|
|
-Substance
use: |
|
|
|
16 |
History
of substance abuse |
0.25 |
0.25 |
|
17 |
Current
substance use, and related problems |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
|
-Mental
health: |
|
|
|
18 |
Mental
health conditions |
0.50 |
0.50 |
|
19 |
Depression |
0.50 |
0.00 |
|
20 |
Anxiety |
0.50 |
0.25 |
|
21 |
Trauma |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
|
-Attitudes
and Beliefs: |
|
|
|
22 |
Poor
attitudes towards authority |
0.75 |
0.00 |
|
23 |
Poor
attitude towards rules |
0.50 |
0.00 |
|
24 |
Poor
attitudes toward social norms |
0.75 |
0.00 |
|
|
CALC |
=13.75 |
=4.75/24 |
|
|
Delinquency
Test 24 Items (LSF) = |
57.3% |
19.8% |
Number Analytics - [GO BACK]
https://www.numberanalytics.com/blog/comprehensive-assessment-juvenile-delinquency-guide
May 24, 2025
Comprehensive assessment is a critical component in addressing juvenile delinquency. It involves a thorough evaluation of a juvenile's circumstances, behavior, and needs to inform effective intervention strategies. In this article, we will explore the definition, importance, and benefits of comprehensive assessment in juvenile delinquency, as well as its key components and implementation strategies.
Risk and Needs Assessment Tools
and Techniques
Risk and needs assessment tools help practitioners identify a juvenile's likelihood of reoffending Criminogenic needs. Common tools and techniques include: [FYI]
Youth Level of Service/Case
Management Inventory (YLS/CMI)
Structured Assessment of Violence
Risk in Youth (SAVRY)
Juvenile Justice Assessment Tool (JJAT)
These tools typically assess factors such as:
- Prior offenses and delinquent history
- Family dynamics and relationships
- Peer associations and social environment
- Mental health and substance abuse issues
- Educational and employment history
Criminogenic needs are factors in an individual's life that are directly related to the likelihood of re-offending. They are dynamic, meaning they can be modified through interventions and treatment. Identifying and addressing these needs is crucial for reducing recidivism and promoting successful reintegration into the community.
Whatever It Takes Approach
The "whatever it takes" approach involves committing to doing whatever is necessary, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable, to achieve an objective. It emphasizes unconditional commitment, flexibility, persistence, and tailored, practical solutions to overcome obstacles and meet specific needs, often in community-based or social services settings. This mindset prioritizes action and determination over motivation, ensuring that individuals and programs persist until goals are met.
Stop the Cycle
What is STC?
The Stop the Cycle Program (STC) is a free program designed to help the siblings and parents of youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The program’s goals are to enhance protective factors for the children, improve parenting skills for the parents, and build an ongoing system of support for the whole family.
Action is the physical or mental doing of something, while determination is the firm intention and will to achieve a specific goal, even when facing obstacles. Determination provides the driving force to initiate and sustain actions, ensuring that intentions translate into tangible efforts, particularly when motivation wanes.
Improving One’s Quality of Life
To improve your quality of life, prioritize
physical health through exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep; foster mental
well-being with stress management techniques like meditation and hobbies;
strengthen social connections by spending time with loved ones; cultivate
purpose by learning new things and
engaging in stimulating activities; and seek a healthy work-life
balance. Small, consistent steps can lead to significant improvements in
overall well-being and life satisfaction.
