RESIDENTIAL VERSUS DAY TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN - A LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

Adults and adolescents, who as children, received day or residential t reatment were followed up ten years after treatment completion. No dif ferences were found between the two treatment modalities on follow-up ratings of personal and social adjustment. This pattern was not influe nced by gender, IQ, or presenting problem. Overall, about two-thirds o f the children demonstrated improvement at follow-up. As expected, ind ividuals demonstrating higher levels of personal and social adjustment at initial assessment were functioning better at outcome. However, th e magnitude of therapeutic gain was not significantly different for mi ld versus moderate-to-severe presenting problems. Suggestions for futu re research are included.