Abstract
Over the past several years, youth treatment research has moved toward understanding the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs). As a result, studies have focused on identifying predictors that aid in successful adoption and sustainment of EBPs. Theories of behavior change posit that therapist knowledge and attitudes play a fundamental role in EBP adoption; however, studies have produced mixed findings, which may be an artifact of broad definitions of both EBP knowledge and EBP itself. The current study was an examination of 46 youth community therapists and the extent to which varying types of knowledge and attitudes as well as youth characteristics predicted specific practices derived from the evidence-base. Results suggested that specific EBP knowledge predicted specific practices, highlighting the need for more specificity when examining predictors of EBP use. Therapists’ attitudes, demographic characteristics, and youth characteristics were also significant predictors of EBP use. Future research should consider examining discrete and specific practices to better understand and predict therapists’ future behavior.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
We did not include time as a level within our analyses despite the nested nature of the MTPS within youth. We opted for a two-level model given that we conceptualized each MTPS as an orthogonal decision-making point for the therapist given the youth’s current treatment target. Post-hoc analyses that included time in the model did not change the findings related to therapist knowledge or attitudes.
References
Aarons, G. A. (2004). Mental health provider attitudes toward adoption of evidence-based practice: The evidence-based practice attitude scale (EBPAS). Mental Health Services Research, 6, 61–74. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:MHSR.0000024351.12294.65.
Aarons, G. A., Cafri, G., Lugo, L., & Sawitzky, A. (2012). Expanding the domains of attitudes towards evidence-based practice: The evidence based practice attitude scale-50. Administration and Policy In Mental Health, 39, 331–340. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-010-0302-3.
Addis, M. E., & Krasnow, A. D. (2000). A national survey of practicing psychologists’ attitudes toward psychotherapy treatment manuals. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 331–339. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.68.2.331.
Ajzen, I., & Fishbein, M. (1977). Attitude-behavior relations: A theoretical analysis and review of empirical research. Psychological Bulletin, 84(5), 888.
Becker, K. D., Nakamura, B. J., Young, J., & Chorpita, B. F. (2009). What better place than here? What better time than now? ABCT’s burgeoning role in the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices. The Behavior Therapist, 32, 89–96.
Becker, E. M., Smith, A. M., & Jensen-Doss, A. (2013). Who’s using treatment manuals? A national survey of practicing therapists. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 51, 706–710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2013.07.008.
Becker-Haimes, E. M., Okamura, K. H., Baldwin, C. D., Schmidt, C., Wahesh, E., & Beidas, R. S. (2019). Understanding the landscape of behavioral health pre-service training to inform evidence-based intervention implementation. Psychiatric Services, 70(1), 68–70. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201800220.
Becker-Haimes, E. M., Okamura, K. H., Wolk, C. B., Rubin, R., Evans, A. C., & Beidas, R. S. (2017). Predictors of clinician use of exposure therapy in community mental health settings. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 49, 88–94.
Beidas, R. S., Adams, D. R., Kratz, H. E., Jackson, K., Berkowitz, S., Zinny, A., et al. (2016). Lessons learned while building a trauma-informed public behavioral health system in the City of Philadelphia. Evaluation and Program Planning, 59, 21–32.
Beidas, R. S., Edmunds, J. M., Marcus, S. C., & Kendall, P. C. (2012). Training and consultation to promote implementation of an empirically supported treatment: A randomized trial. Psychiatric Services, 63(7), 660–665. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201100401.
Beidas, R. S., & Kendall, P. C. (2010). Training therapists in evidence-based practice: A critical review of studies from a systems-contextual perspective. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 17, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2850.2009.01187.x.
Beidas, R. S., Marcus, S., Aarons, G. A., Hoagwood, K. E., Schoenwald, S., Evans, A. C., et al. (2015). Predictors of community therapists’ use of therapy techniques in a large public mental health system. JAMA Pediatrics, 169(4), 374–382.
Borntrager, C. F., Chorpita, B. F., Higa-McMillan, C. K., Weisz, J. R., & The Network on Youth Mental Health. (2009). Provider attitudes toward evidence-based practices: Are the concerns with the evidence or with the manuals? Psychiatric Services, 60, 677–681. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.60.5.677.
Borntrager, C. F., Chorpita, B. F., Orimoto, T., Love, A., & Mueller, C. W. (2013). Validity of clinician’s self-reported practice elements on the monthly treatment and progress summary. Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, 42, 367–382.
Brookman-Frazee, L., Haine, R. A., Baker-Ericzen, M., Zoffness, R., & Garland, A. F. (2010). Factors associated with use of evidence-based practice strategies in usual care youth psychotherapy. Administration and Policy In Mental Health, 37, 254–269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-009-0244-9.
Chambless, D. L., & Hollon, S. D. (1998). Defining empirically supported therapies. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66, 7–18. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.66.1.7.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division. (2005). Service provider monthly treatment and progress summary. Honolulu, HI: Hawaii Department of Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division.
Chorpita, B. F., Daleiden, E. L., & Weisz, J. R. (2005). Identifying and selecting the common elements of evidence-based interventions: A distillation and matching model. Mental Health Services Research, 7, 5–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11020-005-1962-6.
Daleiden, E. L., Chorpita, B. F., Donkervoet, C., Arensdorf, A. M., Brogan, M., & Hamilton, J. D. (2006). Getting better at getting them better: Health outcomes and evidence-based practice within a system of care. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 45(6), 749–756.
Daleiden, E., Lee, J., & Tolman, R. (2004). Annual evaluation report: Fiscal year 2004. Honolulu, HI: Hawaii Department of Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division. Retrieved February 25, 2008 from http://hawaii.gov/health/mental-health/camhd/library/pdf/rpteval/ge/ge/ge011.pdf.
Fixsen, D. L., Naoom, S. F., Blase, K. A., Friedman, R. A., & Wallace, F. (2005). Implementation research: A synthesis of the literature. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Research Institute, The National Implementation Research Network. (FMHI Publication #231).
Glisson, C., & Schoenwald, S. K. (2005). The ARC organizational and community intervention strategy for implementing evidence-based children’s mental health treatments. Mental Health Service Research, 7, 243–259.
Harned, M. S., Dimeff, L. A., Woodcock, E. A., & Contreras, I. (2013). Predicting adoption of exposure therapy in a randomized controlled dissemination trial. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 27(8), 754–762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.02.006.
Heck, R. H., Thomas, S. L., & Tabata, L. N. (2013). Multilevel and longitudinal modeling with IBM SPSS (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge.
Higa-McMillan, C. K., Nakamura, B. J., Becker, K. D., *Chang, J. P., Chiu, A., Stanick, C. F., Cheron, D. M., Daleiden, E. L., & Chorpita, B. F. (2017). Measuring practice element procedural knowledge: How do trainees PERForm? Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 11, 243–251.
Higa-McMillan, C. K., Nakamura, B. J., Morris, A., Jackson, D. S., & Slavin, L. (2014). Predictors of use evidence-based practices for children and adolescents in usual care. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 42(4), 373–383.
Izmirian, S. C., & Nakamura, B. J. (2016). Knowledge, attitudes, social desirability, and organizational characteristics in youth mental health services. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 43(4), 630–647.
Jensen-Doss, A., & Weisz, J. R. (2008). Diagnostic agreement predicts treatment process and outcomes in youth mental health clinics. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(5), 711–722. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.76.5.711.
Kazdin, A. E. (2008). Evidence-based treatment and practice: New opportunities to bridge clinical research and practice, enhance the knowledge base, and improve patient care. American Psychologist, 63(3), 146–159.
Kazdin, A. E., & Blase, S. L. (2011). Rebooting psychotherapy research and practice to reduce the burden of mental illness. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6(1), 21–37.
Kolko, D. J., Cohen, J. A., Mannarino, A. P., Baumann, B. L., & Knudsen, K. (2009). Community treatment of child sexual abuse: A survey of practitioners in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 36, 37–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-008-0180-0.
Leathers, S. J., & Strand, T. C. (2013). Increasing access to evidence-based practices and knowledge and attitudes: A pilot study. Research on Social Work Practice, 23, 669–679. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731513491635.
Lewis, C. C., & Simons, A. D. (2011). A pilot study disseminating cognitive behavioral therapy for depression: Therapist factors and perceptions of barriers for implementation. Administration and Policy In Mental Health, 38, 324–334. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-011-0348-x.
Lim, A., Nakamura, B. J., Higa-McMillan, C. K., Shimabukuro, S., & Slavin, L. (2012). Effects of workshop trainings on evidence-based practice knowledge and attitudes among youth community mental health providers. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 50, 397–406.
Little, R. J. A., & Rubin, D. B. (1987). Statistical analysis with missing data. New York: Wiley.
Love, A., Tolman, R., Mueller, C. & Powell, A. (2010). Youth outcomes on therapist-identified treatment targets in a system of care. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, San Francisco, CA.
Mandell, D. S., Okamura, K. H., & Fishman, J. (2017). Using psychological and organizational theories to predict implementation of evidence-based practices in community settings. In R. Beidas, J. Locke (Chairs), & G. Aarons (Discussant) Towards causal theory in implementation science: The next frontier. Symposium presented at the Tenth Annual Academy Health Dissemination and Implementation Convention, Arlington, VA.
Nakamura, B. J., Daleiden, E. L., & Mueller, C. W. (2007). Validity of treatment target progress ratings as indicators of youth improvement. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 16(5), 729–741.
Nakamura, B. J., & Higa-McMillan, C. K. (2015). The practice element response form (PERForm). Unpublished manuscript. Manoa, HI: University of Hawaii.
Nakamura, B. J., Higa-McMillan, C. K., Okamura, K. H., & Shimabukuro, S. (2011). Knowledge of and attitudes towards evidence-based practices in community child mental health practitioners. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 38, 287–300. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-011-0351-2.
Nelson, T. D., & Steele, R. G. (2008). Influences on practitioner treatment selection: Best research evidence and other considerations. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 35(2), 170–178.
Okamura, K. H., Hee, P. J., Jackson, D., & Nakamura, B. J. (2018). Furthering our understanding of therapist knowledge and attitudinal measurement in youth community mental health. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 45(5), 699–708. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-018-0854-1.
Okamura, K. H., Nakamura, B. J., Mueller, C., Hayashi, K., & Higa-McMillan, C. K. (2016). An exploratory factor analysis of the knowledge of evidence-based services questionnaire. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 43(2), 214–232. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-013-9384-5.
Orimoto, T. E., Higa-McMillan, C. K., Mueller, C. W., & Daleiden, E. L. (2012). Assessment of therapy practices in community treatment for children and adolescents. Psychiatric Services, 63(4), 343–350. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201100129.
Orimoto, T. E., Mueller, C. W., Hayashi, K., & Nakamura, B. J. (2013). Community-based treatment for youth with co- and multimorbid disruptive behavior disorders. Administration and Policy In Mental Health, 41(2), 262–275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-012-0464-2.
Powell, B. J., McMillen, J. C., Proctor, E. K., Carpenter, C. R., Griffey, R. T., Bunger, A. C., et al. (2012). A compilation of strategies for implementing clinical innovations in health and mental health. Medical Care Research and Review, 69(2), 123–157.
Powell, B. J., Waltz, T. J., Chinman, M. J., Damschroder, L. J., Smith, J. L., Matthieu, M. M., et al. (2015). A refined compilation of implementation strategies: Results from the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) project. Implementation Science, 10(1), 21.
PracticeWise, LLC (2015). PracticeWise evidence-base services database. Retrieved from https://www.practicewise.com.
PracticeWise, LLC (2017). PracticeWise evidence-base services database. Retrieved from https://www.practicewise.com.
Prochaska, J. O., & Velicer, W. F. (1997). The transtheoretical model of health behavior change. American Journal of Health Promotion, 12, 38–48.
Reding, M. E., Chorpita, B. F., Lau, A. S., & Innes-Gomberg, D. (2014). Providers’ attitudes toward evidence-based practices: Is it just about providers, or do practices matter, too? Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 41(6), 767–776.
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). New York: Free Press.
Rubin, A., & Parrish, D. E. (2010). Development and validation of the evidence-based practice process assessment scale: Preliminary findings. Research on Social Work Practice, 20, 629–640. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731508329420.
Sheehan, A. K., Walrath, C. M., & Holden, E. W. (2007). Evidence-based practice use, training, and implementation in the community-based service setting: A survey of children’s mental health service providers. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 16, 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-006-9076-3.
Stumpf, R. E., Higa-McMillan, C. K., & Chorpita, B. F. (2009). Implementation of evidence-based services for youth: Assessing provider knowledge. Behavior Modification, 33, 48–65. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445508322625.
Wandersman, A., Duffy, J., Flaspohler, P., Noonan, R., Lubell, K., et al. (2008). Bridging the gap between prevention research and practice: The interactive systems framework for dissemination and implementation. American Journal of Community Psychology, 41, 171–181. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-008-9174-z.
Weist, M., Lever, N., Stephan, S., Youngstrom, E., Moore, E., Harrison, B., et al. (2009). Formative evaluation of a framework for high quality, evidence-based services in school mental health. School Mental Health, 1, 196–211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-009-9018-5.
Weisz, J. R., Hawley, K. M., Pilkonis, P. A., Woody, S. R., & Follette, W. C. (2000). Stressing the (other) three Rs in the search for empirically supported treatments: Review procedures, research quality, relevance to practice and the public interest. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 7, 243–258. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy/7.3.243.
Funding
This work was supported by the American Psychological Foundation’s William C. Howell Scholarship awarded to Dr. Kelsie Okamura.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare they have no conflict of interest.
Ethical Approval
All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
Informed Consent
Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Okamura, K.H., Jackson, D.S. & Nakamura, B.J. Therapist and Youth Predictors of Specific Practices Derived from the Evidence-Base in Community Mental Health. Adm Policy Ment Health 46, 609–619 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-019-00942-1
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-019-00942-1