Multiple-Family Groups for Urban Children With Conduct Difficulties and Their Families

Abstract

The authors present the results of two studies designed to improve treatment engagement among urban youths with conduct and oppositional behavioral difficulties. In the first study, information on attitudes about mental health treatment was obtained from 159 adult caregivers of children who were referred to an urban child mental health clinic because of disruptive behavioral difficulties. The caregivers listed insufficient time, lack of transportation, the child's not wanting to attend treatment, and the caregiver's concern that treatment might not help as barriers to service use. The data from study 1 were used to design a multiple-family group intervention to be tested in study 2. The families who participated in these groups attended an average of seven sessions during the 16-week study, compared with four sessions for families who participated in family therapy and three for families who participated in individual psychotherapy.

A randomized preference trial to inform personalization of a parent training program implemented in community mental health clinics

“…One family's modality information in the choice group was missing ORIGINAL RESEARCH inexpensive strategies (e.g., a phone call the day before the session, troubleshooting logistical barriers) [37] can significantly increase show rates, most clinics do not use such strategies to improve retention. Our findings resonate with the literature showing average length of treatment in community mental health clinics is just three to four sessions [38]. Families of children with conduct problems are at increased risk for dropping out of treatment [39], as are low-income families who may be uninsured or underinsured.…”

Disparities in Mental Health Service Utilization among Low-Income African American Adolescents: Closing the Gap by Enhancing Practitioner’s Competence

“…When services are initiated, many African American adolescents drop out between the first and third appointment or fail to complete a course of treatment (McKay, Harrison, Gonzales, Kim, & Quintana, 2002). The gap between need for and utilization of services is especially serious for African American adolescents, who are already at increased risk for poor health outcomes as a result of poverty, unemployment, poor education, and the consequences of living in troubled communities (Canino & Spurlock, 1994).…”

Modèle de l’engagement et de l’abandon de traitement de l’adolescent avec trouble de personnalité limite

“…Les raisons invoquées ont été 1) la croyance que leur enfant ne nécessitait pas de soins psychiatriques (55.3 %), 2) l'impression que l'enfant avait fait des progrès (39.5 %) et 3) un désaccord avec l'opinion clinique du médecin (36.7 %). D'autres études montrent que l'attitude des parents par rapport au traitement peut en influencer la poursuite ou l'arrêt Fernandez & Eyberg, 2009;Luk, Staiger, Mathai, Wong, Birleson, & Adler, 2001;McKay, Harrison, Gonzales, Kim, & Quintana, 2002;Pekarik, 1992;Prinz & Miller, 1994;Zagayko, 1994). Cette variable a été identifiée comme étant la plus significativement associée à l'abandon du traitement chez les adolescents .…”