Effectiveness and Predictors of Outcome for Psychotherapeutic Interventions in Clinical Settings Among Adolescents.

Vera Gergov,Jari Lahti,Mauri Marttunen,Nina Lindberg,Jari Lipsanen

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.628977

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions for clinically referred adolescents, as well as to examine whether sociodemographic, clinical, or treatment-related variables and patients’ role expectations predict treatment outcome or are possible predictors of treatment dropout.MethodThe study comprised 58 adolescents (mean age 14.2, 65.5% female) suffering from diverse psychiatric disorders referred to psychotherapeutic interventions conducted in outpatient care. The outcome measures, The Beck Depression Inventory, and the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation – Outcome Measure were filled in at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Possible predictors were assessed at baseline.ResultsThe results indicate that the mean level of symptoms and psychological distress decreased during the treatment, most reduction occurring in the first 6 months. The frequency of treatment sessions was the strongest predictor of good outcome. Adolescents with a higher level of externalizing problems or lower level of expectations for their own active role in treatment seem to have a higher risk of dropping out.ConclusionOffering intensive treatment for a shorter period might be the most efficient way to gain symptom reduction and decrease psychological distress in psychotherapeutic interventions with adolescents. Being aware of externalizing behavior and increasing the adolescents’ own agency during the assessment could strengthen commitment and result in the adolescent benefiting more from treatment.

Highlights

In the past three decades there has been an increasing amount of clinical trials yielding a high level of evidence supporting the benefits of psychotherapeutic interventions for a wide range of mental disorders in children and adolescents (La Greca et al, 2009; Weisz et al, 2017)
In a review of current evidence on youth psychotherapy, Weisz et al (2014) discovered that there were clinically referred patients involved in only 2.1% of the samples in a meta-analysis concerning randomized controlled trials (RCT’s) of child and adolescent psychotherapy
The first aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions for adolescents in a naturalistic setting to increase the generalizability of the evidence for youth psychotherapy

Summary

Introduction

In the past three decades there has been an increasing amount of clinical trials yielding a high level of evidence supporting the benefits of psychotherapeutic interventions for a wide range of mental disorders in children and adolescents (La Greca et al, 2009; Weisz et al, 2017). Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Adolescents psychiatric comorbidity (Riosa et al, 2011). Evidence of the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions in naturalistic settings or for adolescents with psychiatric comorbidity is still scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions for clinically referred adolescents, as well as to examine whether sociodemographic, clinical, or treatment-related variables and patients’ role expectations predict treatment outcome or are possible predictors of treatment dropout

Objectives

Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion