Citation

Osuch EA, Vingilis ER, Summerhurst C, Forster CI, Ross EE, Wrath AJ. Psychiatr. Serv. 2015; 66(10): 1113-1117.

Affiliation

With the exception of Dr. Vingilis, the authors are with the Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, and with London Health Sciences Centre, both in London, Ontario, Canada (e-mail: elizabeth.osuch@lhsc.on.ca). Dr. Vingilis is with the Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine, London, Ontario.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

26030316

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Research to determine the best approach for providing early intervention for mood and anxiety disorders is imperative. The authors describe a process evaluation of an early-intervention program for transition-age youths with mood or anxiety disorders.

METHODS: Causal and logic models for pathways to care for the program, as well as descriptive data from 548 participating youths, are presented. Follow-up measures of functional improvement are reported.

RESULTS: Diagnostic characterization, symptom severity, and functional impairment of participants indicated that the model selected an appropriate catchment population without creating excessive overinclusion. Self-referred youths reported greater anxiety and substance use. Acceptance by the program was predictive of greater follow-through with treatment. Several variables, including frequent lifetime marijuana use, predicted loss to follow-up. At follow-up, youths were significantly functionally improved.

CONCLUSIONS: This process evaluation indicated that the model provided appropriate early intervention for youths with mood or anxiety disorders without causing excessive overinclusion.

Language: en