The Associations between Structural Treatment Characteristics and Post-Treatment Functioning in Compulsory Residential Youth Care

Abstract

BackgroundIn 2005 a new compulsory residential treatment program was developed for adolescents in need for protection against themselves or their environment.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to examine the association of structural treatment characteristics of this new residential treatment program (i.e., duration of treatment, discharge status, and group composition in terms of sex) with post-treatment functioning. Additionally, the number of pre-treatment risk factors was included in the model.MethodA total of 301 adolescents (174 boys, 127 girls), with a mean age at time of admittance of 15.50 (SD = 1.26) participated in this study. The number of risk factors was derived from treatment files of the adolescents at time of entrance. Six months after discharge, adolescents participated in a telephone interview to measure ten post-treatment variables indicating how well they were doing.ResultsThe results showed that duration of treatment was related to post-treatment living situation, in that adolescents who were in treatment for shorter durations were more likely to live on their own after treatment. For discharge status, findings suggested that adolescents who were regularly discharged had more frequent contact with their family; however, they also showed higher alcohol consumption 6 months after treatment. Group composition was related to the girls’ official offending, indicating that girls placed in mixed-sex groups showed significantly fewer official police contacts than did girls in girls-only treatment groups.ConclusionOverall, structural treatment characteristics were hardly related to the adolescents’ functioning after treatment. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

Individualized behavioral change of externalizing and internalizing problems and predicting factors in residential youth care.

“…They often had a long history of treatment which had not reduced their problems before entering residential care (Souverein, Van der Helm, & Stams, 2013), and discharge from residential care did not necessarily imply that all problems have been solved. In 30–50% of the cases, adolescents had unplanned discharges, for example, because they turned 18 years old or because they ran away (Nijhof et al, 2012; Trout et al, 2010), and the majority of adolescents continue to receive other types of care after leaving residential care (Harder, Kalverboer, & Knorth, 2011; Harder, Knorth, & Kalverboer, 2011). Only a fraction of care was captured in the present study, so a significant change in behavior problems may not be realized.…”

“…Residential care is provided in 24-hr group living facilities that provide care, education, and leisure activities to children and adolescents with severe social, emotional, or behavior problems (Bates, English, & Kouidou-Giles, 1997; De Swart et al, 2012; Hair, 2005). Admission to group living facilities is regarded as the basic treatment and additional (evidence-based) interventions can be offered when needed (Nijhof et al, 2012). Type of interventions provided in residential care institutions often vary (De Swart et al, 2012).…”

Group Care Worker Behavior and Adolescents' Internalizing and Externalizing Problems in Compulsory Residential Care

“…This new treatment program is offered by six Dutch residential institutions and in general covers one year. The treatment consists of daily routine in the group, leisure activities, attending school, and individual and family interventions if indicated (Nijhof, Vermulst, Veerman, Engels, & Scholte, 2011) Adolescents who were admitted to the new treatment program between May 2007 and December 2008 participated in the study. At time of admittance (T1), six months later (T2), and at time of discharge (T3), adolescents and group care workers, that is, the mentor of the adolescent, were asked to complete questionnaires.…”

One size does not fit all: A systematic review of training outcomes on residential youth care professionals' skills

“…Young people stay in a residential group where they receive care and psychosocial treatment for 24 hours a day (De Swart et al, 2012). These adolescents often have long care histories (Nijhof, Vermulst, Veerman, Van Dam, Engels, & Scholte, 2012) and experience various problems, including behavioural and emotional disorders (Scholte & Van der Ploeg, 2002). Although these problems are diverse, externalising disorders are most common (Ryan, Marshall, Herz, & Hernandez, 2008).…”