Outcome research in residential child care: behavioral changes of treatment completers and treatment non-completers

Abstract

The emotional and behavioral development of children admitted to residential care in the Netherlands was assessed during a period of two years in a sample of 141 youngsters in the ages of 9 till 14. The assessments were made using the Child Behavior Checklist at the admission and at the termination of the care, and for those who left also after a follow-up period of four months. The parents reported significantly more developmental problems upon admission than the care professionals. During the care the opinions converged. The parents became more favorable, while the opinion of the care professionals essentially did not change. Three groups of children were compared: completers, non-completers and children still in care. The non- completers developed less favorable than the completers, and than the children still under treatment. The non-completers showed significantly more delinquency related problem behaviors upon admission.