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An Adolescent Unit Assessed: A Consumer Survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

P. G. Wells
Affiliation:
Adolescent Services, Young People's Unit, Victoria Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 3JS
A. Morris
Affiliation:
Department of Child Health Research Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS2 8BU
R. M. Jones
Affiliation:
Child Care, Nottingham Social Services Department, County Hall, Nottingham
D. J. Allen
Affiliation:
Greenwood Adolescent Unit, Liverpool Road, Chester CH2 4AA

Abstract

The paper describes the therapeutic programme of the Young People's Unit, Macclesfield. Admission is based on a therapeutic contract agreed with the youngster and family. Data on the first 150 admission to the Unit are presented. The information was collected from all referring agencies and a sample of youngsters and parents after an average period of two years since discharge. Results were similar to those of other follow-up studies of discharges from adolescent units, i.e. 78 per cent of neurotic disorders, 53 per cent of mixed neurotic and conduct disorders and 47 per cent of conduct disorders showed improvement. There was a high incidence of recurrence of the most significant presenting symptom (72 per cent). Nevertheless, referrers and youngsters showed a positive attitude to the treatment experience. The possible relationship of this to the contract system is discussed. A longer period of stay was found to correlate positively with improvement in conduct disorders. There is a need for further research into what aspects of a treatment milieu produce significant and lasting changes in conduct disorders.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1978 

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