IQ as a moderator of outcome in severity of children’s mental health status after treatment in outpatient clinics

Abstract

BackgroundPsychotherapy is an effective treatment for mental health disorders, but even with the most efficacious treatment, many patients do not experience improvement. Moderator analysis can identify the conditions under which treatment is effective or whether there are factors that can attenuate the effects of treatment.MethodsIn this study, linear mixed model analysis was used to examine whether the Full Scale IQ (FSIQ), Performance IQ (PIQ) and Verbal IQ (VIQ) on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Third Edition, moderated outcomes in general functioning and symptom load. A total of 132 patients treated at three outpatient child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) were assessed at three different time points. The Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) and the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Children and Adolescents (HoNOSCA) were used to measure the severity of impairments in general functioning and symptom load. IQ was assessed at the start of treatment.ResultsModerator analysis revealed that the FSIQ × time interaction predicted changes in CGAS scores (p < .01), and that the PIQ × time interaction predicted changes in HoNOSCA scores (p < .05). The slopes and intercepts in HoNOSCA scores covaried negatively and significantly (p < .05). The same pattern was not detected for the CGAS scores (p = .08).ConclusionsFISQ and PIQ moderated change in general functioning and symptom load, respectively. This implies that patients with higher IQ scores had a steeper improvement slope than those with lower scores. The patients with the highest initial symptom loads showed the greatest improvement, this pattern was not found in the improvement of general functioning.

Intellectual functioning of adolescent and adult patients with eating disorders

“…For example, in schizophrenia patients, low intelligence predicts worse outcome after treatment . In children and adolescents, higher PIQ is found to be associated with steeper improvement slopes after psychotherapy for various mental health problems . For ED patients, little is known about the role of intelligence in treatment success and outcome.…”

“…37 In children and adolescents, higher PIQ is found to be associated with steeper improvement slopes after psychotherapy for various mental health problems. 38 For ED patients, little is known about the role of intelligence in treatment success and outcome. An old study in AN patients showed that neuropsychological status, measured with a test battery that partly consisted of Wechsler Intelligence Scale subtests, was associated with weight restoration.…”

Prevalence and Characteristics of Borderline Intellectual Functioning in a Cohort of Patients With Polysubstance Use Disorder

“…This is obviously the case in individuals with co-occurring BIF and SUD; they tend to show adverse rehabilitation outcomes when offered mainstream SUD treatment, because of factors such as reduced disposition to change and desire for help ( 23 , 24 ), lower treatment compliance ( 25 ), high drop-out rate ( 26 – 28 ), relapse during treatment ( 29 ), and negative treatment experiences ( 30 ). Therefore, it is alarming to realize that impaired intellectual functioning is often overlooked in treatment programs for patients with SUD, even though it can be a key clinical factor in predicting treatment needs and prognosis ( 24 , 29 , 31 – 34 ).…”

Dohsa‐hou for unexplained regression in Down syndrome in a 19‐year‐old man: A case report

“…Another important issue is the adaptation of psychological or behavioral treatment for individuals with intellectual disabilities in various settings. Restricted intellectual disabilities may moderate the effectiveness of the treatment; thus, some adaptation may be required to obtain a beneficial outcome in such a population 36,37 . Cultural difference and access to the services may also complicate the selection of a possible treatment for this issues 38 .…”