Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of the study was to examine differences in profiles and experiences between children who successfully and unsuccessfully complete a residential treatment program, and if such outcomes could be predicted. This study also addressed whether differences existed between children from different ethnic backgrounds, specifically African American, Latino, and Caucasians, in their profiles and experiences. Method. A retrospective case-control design was utilized to determine the effects of different variables on successful (transition to a lower level of care) and unsuccessful (transition to a higher level of care/remains at the same level of care) outcomes. Archival data of 238 children from a residential treatment center was used. The following variables were examined: Ethnicity; Diagnosis; Educational adjustment; Age of first out of home placement; Number of prior placements; Family involvement; Arrest history; Peer relationships; Behavior stability prior to discharge; Change in Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score; and Ethnic match between the staff and the child. Results. Significant differences existed between successful and unsuccessful outcome groups on four variables, including educational achievement, family involvement, behavioral stability, and change in GAF. African American children tended to be placed in residential treatment centers at a significantly younger age than Latino or Caucasians. Using seven predictor variables, outcome was correctly predicted for approximately 71% of the children. This model was significantly more accurate at predicting successful outcomes. The variable that best predicted outcome, according to this study, was the level of family involvement. Discussion. The results indicate that children from all ethnic groups experience successful and unsuccessful outcomes at the same approximate frequencies. Analyzing all ethnic groups together, results also suggest that providing a child in residential treatment with the opportunity to interact with members of their family is the best method to increase the chance that a child will experience a successful outcome from residential treatment. The possibility does remain that children from different ethnic groups may experience different predictors of successful and unsuccessful outcomes.