Citation

Zambrowicz R, Stewart JG, Cosby E, Esposito EC, Pridgen B, Auerbach RP. Evid. Based Pract. Child Adolesc. Ment. Health. 2019; 4(4): 357-368.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/23794925.2019.1685419

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Financial pressures have led to a reduced length of stay (LOS) in inpatient psychiatric facilities for adolescents, yet research on the outcomes of short-term programs remains scant. The present study evaluated the outcomes of an adolescent inpatient program by: (1) probing depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation at admission and discharge and (2) testing whether clinical or psychosocial factors moderate treatment response. Participants included adolescents (n = 777) aged 13-19 years admitted to an inpatient treatment program for acute psychiatric concerns. Clinical interviews were administered to probe mental disorders and past suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs), and self-report measures assessed symptom severity, child abuse, and peer victimization (i.e., bullying).

RESULTS showed a significant decrease in depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation from admission to discharge. Comorbidity, past month NSSI, and lifetime suicide attempts emerged as moderators of treatment response, and peer victimization predicted symptom severity at discharge. Although findings suggest an overall improvement, participants with more severe clinical presentations (e.g., comorbidity, past month NSSI, lifetime suicide attempts, and more severe bullying) reported greater symptom severity at admission and discharge, suggesting that these patients may benefit from longer inpatient stays to achieve further symptom reduction. Although this may incur greater costs in the short-term, it also may prevent unintended economic and psychosocial consequences in the long-term. © 2019, © 2019 Society of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; human; Depression; female; male; child abuse; suicidal ideation; depression; anxiety; bullying; suicide attempt; comorbidity; major clinical study; mental health care; hospital admission; automutilation; priority journal; social psychology; psychiatric diagnosis; hospital discharge; symptom; treatment response; Article; peer victimization; clinical outcome; comorbidity assessment; adolescent inpatients; suicidal thoughts and behaviors