Effective Residential Treatment
The purpose of the article was to present follow up data of short term intensive residential treatment program suggesting its effectiveness.
The hole in the research the article is seeking to address:
There is evidence to suggest that long-term treatment leads to positive outcomes. This study sought to investigate specifically whether a short term intensive program could be effective.
Participates in the study:
The sample consisted of 123 severely disturbed adolescents in an intensive residential treatment setting, in which the mean length of stay was 3.5 months. 53% were male, with a mean age of 14.8, 18% were 11-13 years old, 42% were 14-15, and 40% were 16-18. 87% were Caucasian, other ethnic groups with small percentages.
What was …show more content…
measured:
Participants to the study were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Youth Self Report (YSR) for behavioral and emotional problems. 118 items were rated on a three-point scale on the behavior portions which was administered orally following the structured interviews with the participates and their parents.
Functioning was assessed using the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS). Behavior was measured covering eight domains: school/work, home, community, behavior toward others, moods/emotions, self-harm, substance abuse, and thinking.
In addition, psychosocial functioning was assessed using the Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS).
What was found:
Adolescents who have exhibited severe psychiatric problems and have not responded to other interventions, findings conclude that intensive short-term residential treatment can be effective and improvement was sustained for the year following discharge.
Most of the participates had a support system in which they could return as short-term treatment requires that patients have a family system in place in which they can be discharged. Adolescents preserved gains after treatment suggesting the emphasis on work with family issues and on facilitating community involvement while in treatment being a huge component to this …show more content…
success.
In what ways are the findings relevant to the counseling profession:
Findings in this study suggest that intensive short-term residential treatment can be effective for adolescents who have acute psychiatric troubles who have not reacted to a range of alternate interventions. This study emphasized work with families, community activities involvement, and discharge planning.
Ethical concerns:
Confidentiality would be of concern in this study and this article fails to state how confidentiality was addressed in this study.
Summarization of article:
Leichtman, Barber, and Neese (2001) sought to investigate the conclusion drawn from research literature that the efficacy of residential treatment can be increased through 1) Intensive work with families; 2) teaching adaptation skills that facilitate reintegration into the community; 3) implementation of extensive after-care plans.
These conclusions were incorporated into this study. Participants included 123 adolescents treated over a four year period at the Menninger Clinic. The paper described the details of the program, follow-up data at three and 12 months after discharge, and the examination of the findings for treatment and further research. The intensive program offered psychiatric treatment comparable to good hospital programs. Family therapy, group therapy, psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are standard services included in treatment. Patients with specialized problems were referred for services in other Menninger programs. Key aspects of the treatment was a structured environment, emphasis on forming close relationships with child care workers, daily groups that addressed relationships with one another, managing anger, recreational and activities programs, sexuality and gender, classes in public schools when ready, and a therapeutic school on the grounds. Emphasis is placed on all members of the team working on each patient’s issues respectively. Management of treatment provided by a single primary clinician, and lastly facilitating transition back into the
community.
No control or comparison group was available so a single group follow up design was utilized consisting of three interviews with patients and parents. At admission, at three and 12 months after discharge. To collect information, interviews of approximately one hour were conducted on the patient’s symptoms and functioning.
At admission the sample had a total CAFAs score of 118 (SD=31) meaning extreme impairment. The mean T-score on the CBCL total problems scale at admission was 73 (SD=7.0), the YSR was lower (64, SD= 10.4). The average length of stay was three to four months (medium =118 days). The mean was 163 days, with a standard deviation of 142. Results show significant improvement in both symptoms and functioning. And no significant change between three and 12 months after discharge. The preserved gains are attributed to emphasis on work and family issues and community involvement of adolescence in treatment.
The hole in the research the article is seeking to address:
There is evidence to suggest that long-term treatment leads to positive outcomes. This study sought to investigate specifically whether a short term intensive program could be effective.
Participates in the study:
The sample consisted of 123 severely disturbed adolescents in an intensive residential treatment setting, in which the mean length of stay was 3.5 months. 53% were male, with a mean age of 14.8, 18% were 11-13 years old, 42% were 14-15, and 40% were 16-18. 87% were Caucasian, other ethnic groups with small percentages.
What was …show more content…
measured:
Participants to the study were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Youth Self Report (YSR) for behavioral and emotional problems. 118 items were rated on a three-point scale on the behavior portions which was administered orally following the structured interviews with the participates and their parents.
Functioning was assessed using the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS). Behavior was measured covering eight domains: school/work, home, community, behavior toward others, moods/emotions, self-harm, substance abuse, and thinking.
In addition, psychosocial functioning was assessed using the Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS).
What was found:
Adolescents who have exhibited severe psychiatric problems and have not responded to other interventions, findings conclude that intensive short-term residential treatment can be effective and improvement was sustained for the year following discharge.
Most of the participates had a support system in which they could return as short-term treatment requires that patients have a family system in place in which they can be discharged. Adolescents preserved gains after treatment suggesting the emphasis on work with family issues and on facilitating community involvement while in treatment being a huge component to this …show more content…
success.
In what ways are the findings relevant to the counseling profession:
Findings in this study suggest that intensive short-term residential treatment can be effective for adolescents who have acute psychiatric troubles who have not reacted to a range of alternate interventions. This study emphasized work with families, community activities involvement, and discharge planning.
Ethical concerns:
Confidentiality would be of concern in this study and this article fails to state how confidentiality was addressed in this study.
Summarization of article:
Leichtman, Barber, and Neese (2001) sought to investigate the conclusion drawn from research literature that the efficacy of residential treatment can be increased through 1) Intensive work with families; 2) teaching adaptation skills that facilitate reintegration into the community; 3) implementation of extensive after-care plans.
These conclusions were incorporated into this study. Participants included 123 adolescents treated over a four year period at the Menninger Clinic. The paper described the details of the program, follow-up data at three and 12 months after discharge, and the examination of the findings for treatment and further research. The intensive program offered psychiatric treatment comparable to good hospital programs. Family therapy, group therapy, psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are standard services included in treatment. Patients with specialized problems were referred for services in other Menninger programs. Key aspects of the treatment was a structured environment, emphasis on forming close relationships with child care workers, daily groups that addressed relationships with one another, managing anger, recreational and activities programs, sexuality and gender, classes in public schools when ready, and a therapeutic school on the grounds. Emphasis is placed on all members of the team working on each patient’s issues respectively. Management of treatment provided by a single primary clinician, and lastly facilitating transition back into the
community.
No control or comparison group was available so a single group follow up design was utilized consisting of three interviews with patients and parents. At admission, at three and 12 months after discharge. To collect information, interviews of approximately one hour were conducted on the patient’s symptoms and functioning.
At admission the sample had a total CAFAs score of 118 (SD=31) meaning extreme impairment. The mean T-score on the CBCL total problems scale at admission was 73 (SD=7.0), the YSR was lower (64, SD= 10.4). The average length of stay was three to four months (medium =118 days). The mean was 163 days, with a standard deviation of 142. Results show significant improvement in both symptoms and functioning. And no significant change between three and 12 months after discharge. The preserved gains are attributed to emphasis on work and family issues and community involvement of adolescence in treatment.