CHILDRENS BEHAVIORAL-RESPONSE TO RESIDENTIAL-TREATMENT

This study examined behavior changes demonstrated over time by childre n who had been placed in a residential treatment center. Objective obs ervation of behavior during such a placement is essential for continue d treatment planning, including continuing in residence, transfer. or discharge. Teachers and residential treatment counselors completed Chi ld Behavior Checklists at admission, discharge, and time points in bet ween, for 36 patients. The results indicated excellent interjudge reli ability for externalizing behavior but not for internalizing. Children who demonstrated oppositional. defiant, or generally conduct-type sym ptoms seemed to do most poorly in the residential treatment setting. T he results suggested that the current design of residential treatment centers may not be effective in dealing with acting-out behavior probl ems. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.