The Associations between Structural Treatment Characteristics and Post-Treatment Functioning in Compulsory Residential Youth Care

Karin S Nijhof,Jan W Veerman,Rutger C M E Engels,Ron H J Scholte,Ad A Vermulst,Coleta Van Dam

doi:10.1007/s10566-011-9152-8

Karin S Nijhof, Jan W Veerman + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-011-9152-8

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Abstract

BackgroundIn 2005 a new compulsory residential treatment program was developed for adolescents in need for protection against themselves or their environment.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to examine the association of structural treatment characteristics of this new residential treatment program (i.e., duration of treatment, discharge status, and group composition in terms of sex) with post-treatment functioning. Additionally, the number of pre-treatment risk factors was included in the model.MethodA total of 301 adolescents (174 boys, 127 girls), with a mean age at time of admittance of 15.50 (SD = 1.26) participated in this study. The number of risk factors was derived from treatment files of the adolescents at time of entrance. Six months after discharge, adolescents participated in a telephone interview to measure ten post-treatment variables indicating how well they were doing.ResultsThe results showed that duration of treatment was related to post-treatment living situation, in that adolescents who were in treatment for shorter durations were more likely to live on their own after treatment. For discharge status, findings suggested that adolescents who were regularly discharged had more frequent contact with their family; however, they also showed higher alcohol consumption 6 months after treatment. Group composition was related to the girls’ official offending, indicating that girls placed in mixed-sex groups showed significantly fewer official police contacts than did girls in girls-only treatment groups.ConclusionOverall, structural treatment characteristics were hardly related to the adolescents’ functioning after treatment. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

Highlights

A small percentage of adolescents in the Netherlands show severe, complex behavior problems
The aim of the present study was to examine the association of structural treatment characteristics of this new residential treatment program with post-treatment functioning
Group composition was related to the girls’ official offending, indicating that girls placed in mixed-sex groups showed significantly fewer official police contacts than did girls in girlsonly treatment groups

Summary

Introduction

A small percentage of adolescents in the Netherlands show severe, complex behavior problems These adolescents are in need of residential care because they must be protected against themselves (e.g., suicidal behavior) or against the environment (e.g., abusive parents, pimps). They often do not accept help and will withdraw themselves from treatment. Existing residential and psychiatric institutions within the regular youth care were not able to deal with the complexity of problems demonstrated in this specific group As a result, these adolescents were placed in juvenile detention centers; not because they were convicted for a crime, but to protect them against themselves (e.g., suicidal behavior, automutilation) or their environment (e.g., pimps, abusive parents). 2005 a new compulsory residential treatment program was developed for adolescents in need for protection against themselves or their environment

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