Abstract
In this study the long-terms outcomes of children and youth with severe mental health problems receiving residential treatment (RT) or an intensive home-based treatment (IHT) were reported. RT is 24-hour mental health intervention in a highly supervised and structured group living setting where individualized and related therapies are provided. Youths attend a day school within the residential environment. IHT developed as an alternative to residential treatment for youth and comprises the same therapeutic interventions provided in the home as opposed to the residential setting. Youths attend their regular school which could be within a specialized setting, such as a day school. At discharge, there were statistically and clinically significant improvements in psychosocial functioning for children and youth in RT and IHT. There were also statistically significant improvements in scores on symptom severity from admission to 12 to 18 months post-discharge, and these improvements were maintained at 36 to 40 months post-discharge. Differences in demographic data between the two groups suggest that the programs may serve two different populations, and that both programs are important components of a comprehensive mental health plan for children and youth.
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Acknowledgments
We are grateful to the caregivers of children and youth who participated in this research. We would also like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of staff within each participating mental health agency. This research was made possible with funding from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
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Preyde, M., Frensch, K., Cameron, G. et al. Long-term Outcomes of Children and Youth accessing Residential or Intensive Home-based Treatment: Three year follow up. J Child Fam Stud 20, 660–668 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-010-9442-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-010-9442-z