Barriers and Challenges to Successful Transition of Young People with Emotional Behavioral Disorders

Abstract

The overriding aim of this study was to provide a critical and comprehensive qualitative review of the current evidence regarding the barriers and challenges that delay successful transition of children and youths with emotional behavioral disorders (EBD) from the child- to adult-centered care systems. Methodology: To achieve the research aim mentioned above, empirical studies were electronically searched from leading databases such as NCBI, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Proquest, CINAHL, and Google Scholar among other databases. Journals and reference lists relating to the transition of young people with EBD were also hand-searched to help in identifying unpublished manuscripts. Results and Discussion: In total, 11 studies were identified and included in this systematic review. Following a careful and a critical analysis of the various evidence-based studies reviewed, it emerged that the primary barriers and challenges to successful transitional care include: funding restrains and lack of resources; training gaps and different working practices and treatment philosophies between child- and adult-centered care systems; lack of transition services such as age-specialized case management and vocational support; as well as poor communication and collaboration between child- and adult-centered care systems. Other barriers identified in the available evidence-based literature, though they were reported to have a minor impact on successful transitional care include the general practitioners’ failure to refer young people, young people are not engaging in any kind of services because of stigmatizing attitudes, and incapacity to engage in outreach work. Conclusions and Recommendations: Though most of the studies reviewed in this systematic review are US and UK based, there is high-quality evidence to affirm that the above-listed factors are the main challenges and barriers to the successful transition of young people with EBD from the child- to adult-centered care systems. Therefore, a robust transitional care for young people with EBD may be achieved by filling the policy-practice gap and addressing the barriers mentioned above.