Utilization of Individual versus Family Therapy Among Adolescents with Severe Emotional Disturbance |
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| Authors: | Kelly N. Graves Terri L. Shelton Nadine J. Kaslow |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Center for Youth, Family, and Community Partnerships , University of North Carolina at Greensboro , Greensboro, North Carolina, USA;2. Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
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| Abstract: | Service utilization patterns among children with severe emotional and/or behavioral disturbances are described for 89 children and families, interviewed at two time points across a 6-month period. Children received a greater number of individual therapy sessions than family therapy sessions, and children significantly decreased their levels of internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Family therapy was associated with decreases in internalizing behaviors when children reported outcomes. Individual therapy was not associated with changes in either internalizing or externalizing behaviors regardless of reporter. Symptom severity did not dictate whether children were provided individual or family therapy. Recommendations for individualized treatment plans are offered. |
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| Keywords: | coresidence parent-child relations intergenerational relations families in middle and later life qualitative research |
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