Relationship between caregiver hopefulness and satisfaction with their children's mental health services.

Relationships among the Youth Services Survey for Families (YSSF) Indicators, selected demographic and clinical variables, and caregiver-rated hopefulness and children's problem severity were examined in a random sample of 1,500 caregivers of Medicaid-enrolled youth in a satisfaction study with Kentucky's 14 community mental health centers. Multiple linear regressions revealed that caregiver services and caregiver hopefulness were excellent predictors of two and three YSSF Indicators, respectively. Providers need to respond to caregiver concerns when developing support services and understand the mechanisms associated with these services' effectiveness. Tracking changes in caregiver and youth hopefulness during treatment may improve services and retention and bridge the gap between research and the important construct of hope.