Psychoeducation and parental engagement in mental health services for youth

摘要: Youth and families, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds, demonstrate high levels of unmet need (Kataoka, Zhang, & Wells, 2002), when they do initiate care, often experience significant barriers to engagement in child mental health services (MHS; Kazdin, 1993; McCabe, 2002; Morrisey-Kane Prinz, 1999). Active parent participation MHS has been associated with improved outcomes compared individual treatment (Dowell Ogles 2010). Yet, parents are uninvolved their child's therapy, this may be a particular problem school-based (SBMHS). SBMHS offer the advantage increasing access care (Atkins, 2003), but there appears an overreliance on counseling (Cerio, 1997; Weist, 1997). Psychoeducation, therapeutic practice used present factual information about MH problems treatments, powerful tool for preparing families treatment, thereby promoting parental care.Study 1 examined unique effect therapists' use psychoeducation strategies, over above among ethnically diverse sample 46 that received community-based disruptive behavior problems. Families were randomized receive evidenced-based (a modular manualized MMT) or usual (UC) within same community agencies. An observational coding system was developed code recorded therapy sessions in-session strategies early phase treatment. Findings revealed employed by therapists uniquely predicted later attendance other strategies. Furthermore, MMT provided more UC. Finally, condition attending greater proportion than UC, difference mediated therapist's strategies.Study 2 mixed methods approach investigate patterns who SBMHS. Administrative data involvement assessed, 20 Latino Chinese American children interviewed assess level document therapist implementation basic practices care. quantitative, administrative suggest quite low. Qualitative interviews suggested motivated involved services, encountered participation, not solicited therapists. A majority reported uninformed presenting various aspects process, suggesting limited even Together, findings Study is major opportunity implement psychoeducation-based upon entry into promote MHS, whether clinics services.