A follow-up study of the first 70 admissions to a general purpose adolescent unit

A follow-up study of the first 70 admissions to a general purpose adolescent unit. The adolescentS and their families were given individual interviews. The outcome, which was assessed on the basis of these interviews, included psychiatric symptomatology and three basic areas of functioning: social, sexual and work adjustments. A global rating of the general level of function, relative to normality, was given for each adolescent. One third of the adolescents were functioning at a high level, one third were functioning at a moderate level and one third were severely handicapped in the most essential areas of functioning. The study group appeared to be disadvantaged socially and in the work situation. Results suggested that the optimum length of stay was 5-25 weeks. The nature of discharge was important: those adolescents who completed treatment were more likely to have a better outcome than those discharged prematurely.