Outcome of multimodal day treatment for children with severe behavior problems: a five-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long-term outcome of a multimodal day treatment program for children with severe behavior problems and to identify factors that may predict a positive outcome.


METHODS
Thirty-three children who completed a day treatment program were assessed using a prospective, single-cohort design tested at intake, discharge, and 5-year follow-up. The child's functioning was assessed using the Revised Child Behavior Profile (RCBP), Hare Self-Esteem Scale, Depression Self-Rating Scale, Hopelessness Scale for Children, Index of Peer Relations, and a 5-point ordinal scale for scholastic reintegration.


RESULTS
Repeated-measures analyses of variance showed that improvement was maintained on all measures between intake and 5-year follow-up. A stepwise multiple regression showed that 92% of the adjusted variance in the behavioral functioning of the children at 5-year follow-up, as assessed by the RCBP, was explained by parental cooperation, initial RCBP total and externalizing scores, and history of problem pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Children who were admitted to a day treatment setting appear to function well globally, even 5 years after discharge. Parental cooperation was the most important variable in predicting positive outcome.
Grizenko
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McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003631:Day Care, Medical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome