Predicting Residential Treatment Outcomes for Emotionally and Behaviorally Disordered Youth: The Role of Pretreatment Factors

Authors

Wendy den Dunnen, University of Ottawa
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
Steven Cook, University of Toronto
Alan W. Leschied, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2012

Journal

Residential Treatment For Children & Youth

Volume

29

Issue

1

First Page

13

Last Page

31

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0886571X.2012.642268

Abstract

This study examined outcomes with 170 children and youth admitted to residential treatment with complex mental health problems. Overall, outcomes at 2 years post-treatment was predicted by children and youth's behavioral pretreatment status reflected in lower internalizing and externalizing behavior at admission. These findings recognize a cluster of variables upon admission that are differentially predictive of specific outcomes. Higher school participation/achievement and an absence of witnessing interparental abuse predicted educational status. Family status was predicted at admission by higher family functioning, being younger in the family, and children and youth who had poor community behavior. The results are discussed as they relate to pretreatment screening and the need to evaluate service outcomes.