Predictors of outcome for children with behavior problems served in public mental health

This study investigated whether pervasiveness of problems across settings predicted successful reduction of impairment in school, home, and interactions with others after controlling for other variables that may be stronger predictors. The data of 4,434 youths between the ages of 7 and 17 years in public mental health services in Michigan were examined employing logistic regressions, with 4 sets of predictors, as follows: demographic characteristics, risk factors, therapist's perception of impairment in the youth's caregiving environment, and pervasiveness of the youth's problems. The results indicated that pervasiveness of problems was the strongest predictor of poor outcomes for each domain. In addition, impaired caregiving environment, previous hospitalization for psychiatric or substance use problems, and placement out-of-home were also negatively associated with successful outcome. The implications of the findings for practice and research are discussed.