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Outcome of multimodal day treatment for children with severe behavior problems: a five-year follow-up
1McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Insights
Children with severe behavior problems showed sustained improvement 5 years after a multimodal day treatment program. Parental cooperation was key to positive outcomes in this child behavior study.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Behavioral Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Severe behavior problems in children pose significant challenges to development and family well-being.
- Multimodal day treatment programs offer intensive interventions for children with complex behavioral needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term effectiveness of a day treatment program for children with severe behavior problems.
- To identify predictors of positive outcomes 5 years post-treatment.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, single-cohort study of 33 children completing a day treatment program.
- Assessment at intake, discharge, and 5-year follow-up using validated measures (e.g., RCBP, self-esteem, depression scales).
- Statistical analyses included repeated-measures ANOVA and stepwise multiple regression.
Main Results:
- Sustained improvements in child functioning were observed across all measures from intake to 5-year follow-up.
- Parental cooperation, initial behavior scores (RCBP), and pregnancy history predicted 92% of the variance in long-term behavioral functioning.
- Children demonstrated generally good global functioning 5 years after discharge.
Conclusions:
- Multimodal day treatment is effective for long-term improvement in children with severe behavior problems.
- Parental cooperation is a critical factor for successful treatment outcomes.
- Early intervention and family involvement are vital for addressing childhood behavioral disorders.
Objective:
To evaluate the long-term outcome of a multimodal day treatment program for children with severe behavior problems and to identify factors that may predict a positive outcome.
Method:
Thirty-three children who completed a day treatment program were assessed using a prospective, single-cohort design tested at intake, discharge, and 5-year follow-up. The child's functioning was assessed using the Revised Child Behavior Profile (RCBP), Hare Self-Esteem Scale, Depression Self-Rating Scale, Hopelessness Scale for Children, Index of Peer Relations, and a 5-point ordinal scale for scholastic reintegration.
Results:
Repeated-measures analyses of variance showed that improvement was maintained on all measures between intake and 5-year follow-up. A stepwise multiple regression showed that 92% of the adjusted variance in the behavioral functioning of the children at 5-year follow-up, as assessed by the RCBP, was explained by parental cooperation, initial RCBP total and externalizing scores, and history of problem pregnancy.
Conclusions:
Children who were admitted to a day treatment setting appear to function well globally, even 5 years after discharge. Parental cooperation was the most important variable in predicting positive outcome.