So You Want To Run An Outcome Study? The Challenges To Measuring Adolescent Residential Treatment Outcomes

Abstract

The purpose of this literature review was to identify the considerations that should be addressed in the design of adolescent residential treatment center outcome studies. Specific key word searches were used with four on-line databases to identify adolescent residential treatment outcome studies from 986 to 2005. While adolescent residential treatment outcome studies have generally indicated positive outcomes for this form of treatment, the literature also acknowledges design limitations in almost all studies. At a minimum, future outcome studies should use appropriate methods and analyses to: (a) define the population served, (b) define the treatment model used and establish treatment fidelity, and (c) define outcome to include treatment and post-discharge measures that are positive and multi-dimensional.

The Evaluation of Therapeutic Residential Care for Adolescents and Young Adults in France: A Systematic Review

“…Given these limitations, future research needs to be prospective and to include the complete population intake. It also need to adopt mixed methods assessing not only diagnoses, impact and clinical evolution (admission, discharge and follow-up) ( 85 , 92 ), but also overall outcomes (social and relational, academic or professional). In addition, these elements need to be completed by qualitative studies reporting on the opinions of young people, their parents and professionals upstream and downstream, on the contributions of this type of care.…”

“…Even if an experimental design would be preferable to an observational design, it would not be practicable because of the difficulty in forming a control group ( 91 ). Therefore, future studies should opt first for a pre-post methodology (pre- or quasi-experimental design) ( 85 , 92 , 93 ), and they should establish diagnoses in standardised manner and assess the impact and clinical evolution using standardised multidimensional criteria, taking into account both the clinical state with the reduction in symptoms, and global, social and relational, academic and professional functioning among the young people ( 92 , 93 ). Long-term mortality should be calculated using national INSEE data on deaths.…”

“When Can I Call Home?” Coercive Control, Structural Isolation, and Functional Isolation Among Attendees of Residential Behavioral Modification Programs

“…Speculation states that the number of adolescents in these programs has grown. Current estimates suggest 50,000 to 100,000 participants, if not more, reside in a program at any given time (McKay, 2017; Chatfield, 2019). This is significant given that in 2021 only 24,894 youth resided in residential placement sanctioned by the juvenile justice system (Hockenberry & Puzzanchera, 2023).…”

“…By designating the program as a boarding school, rather than a treatment program (regardless of the educational services), programs can circumvent state licensure agreements (Mohr, 2009). This lack of oversight is often dismissed, as programs typically embrace private accreditation standards through The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, despite this accreditation being specific only to this form of institution (McKay, 2017; Mooney & Leighton, 2019).…”