Outcome after partial-hospital treatment of severely disturbed adolescents.

Results of a follow-up study of 50 adolescents treated in a day-hospital program are reported. The program admits seriously disturbed adolescents, over two-thirds with a personality diagnosis. Patients are treated in the day hospital for an average of 3 to 9 months. Outcome results are two-thirds adaptive outcome and one-third poor outcome as measured on a level of function scale in the areas of peer and social functioning, occupational functioning, and family relationships. Variables that were significantly related to outcome were significant relationships to peers and staff at discharge, diagnosis, learning disabilities, age at admission, family substance abuse, and type of discharge. These findings are explained in the context of the treatment philosophy.