Identification of differences in gender for adolescents in crisis residence

Abstract

Background: This study explored the nature of client gender relative to counseling adolescents in acute care psychiatric programs.

Aims: A goal attainment model, emphasizing problem identification and commitment to follow-up, was utilized to predict client stabilization for adolescents based on clients' gender.

Method: Data were collected from adolescent clients admitted to psychiatric acute care programs. Licensed master's level clinicians completed the Clinician Problem Scale Revised and Goal Attainment Scale of Stabilization on their adolescent clients. Multiple regression analysis was used to address whether or not differences in gender affected the extent to which goal attainment accounted for scores on the Clinician Problem Scale Revised.

Results: The consideration of gender in the goal attainment model was statistically significant in predicting client stabilization.

Conclusion: Male adolescents appeared to benefit from emphasis placed on the identification of the problem, whereas female adolescents benefited from an emphasis on their commitment to follow-up. The implications of this research focus on the acknowledgement of gender differences in working with adolescents in crisis residence.

Declaration of interest: None.

Keywords:

• Adolescence
• gender
• hospitalization
• outcomes
• counseling