Evaluation of a Partial Hospitalization Program for Adolescents

Abstract

This study investigated the magnitude of treatment and client perceptions of change within a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for adolescents with mental health concerns. Participants were 35 adolescents (19 girls; 16 boys) with a mean age of 14.91 years who were predominately Caucasian (n = 31) and experiencing the symptoms of mood disorders (n = 30). Results of a mixed methodology sequential explanatory design indicated that a 6-week PHP effectively decreased symptom severity and increased relational health of participants over time. Qualitative data yielded four themes identified as renewed well-being, relationships, perceptions of effective programming, and areas of dissatisfaction.

• program
• evaluation
• specialty
• quantitative
• efficacy
• treatment
• children

Notes

Declaration of Conflicting Interests The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or Publication of this article.

Funding The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or Publication of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A. Stephen Lenz

A. Stephen Lenz, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research at The University of Memphis and a Licensed Professional Counselor. His research interests include holistic approaches to counselor development, evidence-supported counseling interventions, community-based program evaluation, and psychometric scale development.

Garry Del Conte

Garry Del Conte, Psy.D. is Clinical Director at Daybreak Treatment Center in Germantown, TN and a licensed Psychologist. His clinical specialization is working with children, adolescents, and families in partial hospitalization settings.

Chloe Lancaster

Chloe Lancaster, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research at The University of Memphis and a Certified School Counselor. Her research interests include effectiveness of school-based guidance programming, adoption studies, and strategies for qualitative inquiry.

Laura Bailey

Laura Bailey, M.S. is a doctoral student in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research at The University of Memphis. Ms. Bailey has a specialization in play therapy interventions with children and adolescents and her research interests include evaluation of counseling outcomes and the role of spirituality within the counseling setting.

Emily Vanderpool

Emily Vanderpool, M.S. is a Clinical Associate at Daybreak Treatment Center in Germantown, TN. Her clinical specializations include working with children, adolescents, and families and applied behavior analysis.