Anna S Lau1, John R Weisz. 1. Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563, USA. alau@psych.ucla.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the treatment implications of a reported history of maltreatment in a sample of 343 children referred to Los Angeles area mental health clinics for emotional and behavioral problems. METHOD: Child Protective Service records identified 161 of the 343 families as having a documented history of maltreatment. Parent reports of child behavior problems were obtained following clinic intake and at 2-year follow-up, and attrition was assessed via medical records. The authors examined the associations between a history of maltreatment and severity of child presenting problems, treatment attrition, and long-term mental health outcomes. RESULTS: Compared to other clinic-referred children, youngsters with a history of maltreatment entered treatment with more externalizing behavior problems, were more likely to exit treatment early and without therapist consent, and continued to show greater externalizing problems 2 years later. CONCLUSIONS: Maltreated children have significant mental health needs that may not be well addressed currently in community mental health clinics.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the treatment implications of a reported history of maltreatment in a sample of 343 children referred to Los Angeles area mental health clinics for emotional and behavioral problems. METHOD:Child Protective Service records identified 161 of the 343 families as having a documented history of maltreatment. Parent reports of child behavior problems were obtained following clinic intake and at 2-year follow-up, and attrition was assessed via medical records. The authors examined the associations between a history of maltreatment and severity of child presenting problems, treatment attrition, and long-term mental health outcomes. RESULTS: Compared to other clinic-referred children, youngsters with a history of maltreatment entered treatment with more externalizing behavior problems, were more likely to exit treatment early and without therapist consent, and continued to show greater externalizing problems 2 years later. CONCLUSIONS: Maltreated children have significant mental health needs that may not be well addressed currently in community mental health clinics.
Authors: Claude M Chemtob; Omar G Gudiño; Rohini Luthra; Rachel Yehuda; James Schmeidler; Brian Auslander; Hillel Hirshbein; Alan Schoor; Rick Greenberg; Jeffrey Newcorn; Paula G Panzer; Todd Schenk; Paul Levine; Robert Abramovitz Journal: Evid Based Pract Child Adolesc Ment Health Date: 2016-08-26