Predicting Adolescents' Discharge Status Following Residential Treatment

A record review was conducted on 130 adolescents who had completed residential treatment to determine their discharge status. Five sets of variables were used to predict discharge status. One set of variables consisted of demographic variables. A second set of variables consisted of the victimization variables. A third set of variables consisted of family dysfunctional behaviors. A fourth set of variables consisted of the residents' antisocial behaviors prior to placement. A fifth set of variables consisted of seven different types of therapy. The results showed that the odds were 8:1 that residents who received family therapy were discharged to less restrictive settings. Residents who experienced both parental abandonment and sexual abuse or came from families with a criminal history and family substance abuse problem were more likely to be discharged to juvenile detention or a psychiatric hospital.