Outcomes for Youth Receiving Intensive In-Home Therapy or Residential Care: A Comparison Using Propensity Scores January 29, 2008
Posted by Matt Conn in Implementation of EBP, Residential Care, Youth.trackback
This study compares outcomes for behaviorally troubled children receiving intensive in-home therapy (IIHT) and those receiving residential care (RC). Propensity score matching is used to identify matched pairs of youth (n = 786) with equivalent propensity for IIHT. The majority of pretreatment differences between the IIHT and RC groups are eliminated following matching. Logistic regression is then conducted on outcome differences at 1 year postdischarge. Results show that IIHT recipients had a greater tendency (.615) toward living with family, making progress in school, not experiencing trouble with the law, and placement stability compared with RC youth (.558; p < .10). This suggests that IIHT is at least as effective for achieving positive outcomes. Given IIHT’s reduced restrictiveness and cost, intensive in-home services should be the preferred treatment over RC in most cases.
Outcomes for Youth Receiving Intensive In-Home Therapy or Residential Care
A study needs to define the factors in Assessments that indicate the feasability of IHIC vs RTC, the variable of distance of the RTC from the family and comparative cost anaysis of each service for a cost benefit factor.
R.E. Johnstone ACSW