Characteristics of youths referred to residential treatment: Implications for program design

https://doi.org/10.1016/0190-7409(93)90003-RGet rights and content

Abstract

This study evaluates the characteristics of youths referred to residential treatment at one private, nonprofit mental health agency over a 12-month period. One hundred eleven youths were study subjects. Characteristics studied included demographic, family functioning, family stress, youth functioning, and prior services used by youths. Study data were obtained from individuals who were knowledgeable about these youths through the conduct of in-person interviews. Interviews included questions with prestructured response formats and three standardized measures. Analyses revealed youths come from impoverished families, have significant functional impairments, and have used an extensive array of prior services. Relationships among family characteristics and youths behavioral problems were also found. Implications were drawn for program design.

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      Among these youth, 39% had 2 diagnoses and 53% had 3 or more diagnoses. In addition, Wells and Whittington (1993) found that almost 90% of 111 youth in residential treatment were in the clinical range for behavioral or emotional difficulties, and over half were in the clinical range for challenges with social competency on the Child Behavior Checklist. Prior studies have demonstrated some effective components of residential treatment, including therapeutic relationships between service providers and residents, strong community ties (e.g., considering input from community providers for treatment planning), and provision of psychological services to families (Hair, 2005; Hooper et al., 2000).

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    Preparation of this article was supported in part by Cleveland Foundation Grants (Nos. 81-519-32R and 85-593-32R) to the Bellefaire/Jewish Children's Bureau. The points of view stated in this paper do not necessarily represent the opinion, position, or policy of the foundation, however, and this should not be inferred.

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