Taking up residence: A review of outcome studies examining residential treatment for youth with serious emotional and behavioural disorders

This review focuses on studies that examine factors influencing the long-term outcome of youth after discharge from residential treatment centres. We have identified 33 new publications since the last review was published necessitating the current review. These outcome studies published between 2008 and 2018 described outcomes at a minimum of thirty days after discharge. Pre-admission factors and intervention characteristics that influence behavioural outcomes, placement outcomes, family outcomes, treatment adherence as well as criminality were identified. Lack of randomised controlled studies makes it difficult to draw strong conclusions about efficacy of the residential treatment. We identified other gaps in the extant research design and outcome measures. Much of the research to-date has been informed by psychosocial models, without considering the fast growing stream of neurobiological data from genetic and imaging studies. A broader model encompassing psychosocial and neurobiological measures may improve our understanding of factors that influence outcomes after discharge. Over time this promises deeper insights and more tailored interventions resulting in improved quality of care and better outcomes.