The Trajectory of Change for Children and Youth in Residential Treatment

Authors

J. W. Noftle, The University of Western Ontario
Steven Cook, University of Toronto
Alan W. Leschied, The University of Western Ontario
Jeff St. Pierre, The Child and Parent Resource Institute, London, ON
Shannon L. Stewart, The Child and Parent Resource Institute, London, ON
Andrew M. Johnson, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2011

Journal

Child Psychiatry and Human Development

Volume

42

Issue

1

First Page

65

Last Page

77

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10578-010-0200-7

Abstract

This study examined the symptom response trajectories for 225 children and youth throughout a period of residential treatment. With the 10-item Conners' Global Index (CGI) as the primary outcome measure, assessments were completed on a bi-weekly basis during the average 4 month stay within the youth's residential treatment. Clients demonstrated an ongoing reduction of symptoms, and the severity of baseline symptoms influenced the trajectory of the symptom reduction. In addition, symptom reduction was characterized as logarithmic, particularly when controlling for the baseline severity of symptoms. Implications of these findings for administrators, practitioners, and researchers of residential treatment are discussed.