PREDICTORS OF OUTCOME OF SHORT-TERM CHILD PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENT TREATMENT

In this study, 85 children were prospectively followed after discharge from short-term inpatient treatment. Outcome was defined as functioni ng within normal range at the follow-up or as improvement in the child 's behavior problems. Rutter Parent's Questionnaire was used as a meas ure on admission and at the 5-month follow-up after discharge. The chi ld's more frequent individual behavior problems, antisocial behavior a nd disengaged family interaction on admission predicted both functioni ng outside normal range and less improvement at follow-up. Previous tr eatment because of developmental or behavioral problems and hyperkinet ic symptoms on admission predicted functioning outside normal range. P arent's previous psychiatric hospital treatment was negatively associa ted with improvement. Pure emotional disorder predicted normal range f unctioning at follow-up. The child's age, gender, place of treatment a nd length of short-term treatment were not related to outcome. The res ults also stress the importance of taking into account both parents' a nd teachers' evaluations on admission.