title: Youth with mental illness: attitudes towards and therapeutic benefits of residential stepped care.
abstract: There is little research reporting the "lived experience" of young people undertaking treatment for mental health conditions. This pilot study explores the phenomenological experiences of a small group of six young people aged 14-18 years who were resident of a youth stepped-care mental health program in the Australian Capital Territory. Using semi-structured interviews, data were collected and two main themes emerged: (a) "Life engagement" and (b) "Relationships." Participants also provided responses on self-report measures at baseline and follow-up and feedback on aspects of the program. Further research is suggested to build on this study to increase research outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Centre for Applied Psychology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia, lynne.magor-blatch@canberra.edu.au.
authors.forename: Lynne E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Magor-Blatch
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ingham
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001290:Attitude; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome