Abstract
This article examines the quality of research regarding the effectiveness of residential treatment centers for substance-abusing adolescents and begins to examine if methodological rigor is associated with substance abuse outcomes. A systematic review of each study is conducted using criteria based on a methodological analysis by Miller & Wilbourne (2002) and methodological issues specified by Chambless and Hollon (1998). Of eight studies reviewed, only three used a strong quasi-experimental design. Out of the four most rigorous studies reviewed, two found significant differences in substance use reduction between the treatment and comparison groups. Of the remaining studies, despite having strong selectivity bias, only one found significant differences between treatment and comparison groups, and it was for females only at the one-year follow-up. Social work researchers should conduct more rigorous studies to assess the effectiveness of residential treatment with substance-abusing adolescents, which would enable social workers, advocating for their clients to receive treatment, to understand the effectiveness of residential substance abuse treatment.
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