Abstract
The teacher-rated outcome on 70 consecutive school mental health referrals treated with brief psychiatric therapy was obtained. The major clinical and outcome findings were (1) 40% of the children showed a hyperactive-learning impaired pattern: (2) the use of stimulant medication for the majority of this group resulted in dramatic classroom improvement; (3) time-limited therapy for academically retarded, chronically misbehaving children produced limited classroom benefits; (4) parental antagonism toward school authorities was frequently related to student suspensions; (5) the child's IQ was a significantly (positive) outcome factor; (6) persistence in treatment was significantly greater when medication was prescribed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Clements, S.Minimal brain dysfunction in children, (NINDB Monograph No. 3), Washington, D.C.: United States Public Health Service, 1966.
Conners, C. A teacher rating scale for use in drug studies with children.American journal of Psychiatry, 1969,126, 884–888.
Cunningham, J., Westerman, H., & Fischhoff, J. A follow-up study of patients seen in a psychiatric clinic for children.American journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1956,26, 602–611.
Davidson, P., Schrag, A. Factors affecting the outcome of child psychiatric consultations.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1969,39, 774–8.
Eisenberg, L., Gilbert, A., Cytryn, L., & Molling, P. The effectiveness of psychotherapy alone and in conjunction with perphenazine or placebo in the treatment of neurotic and hyperkinetic children.American Journal of Psychiatry, 1961,117, 1088–93.
Eisenberg, L., Landowne, E., Wilner, D., & Imber, S. The use of teacher ratings in a mental health study: A method for measuring the effectiveness of a therapeutic nursery program.American Journal of Public Health, 1962,52, 18–28.
Gluck, M., & Tanner, M. Follow-up evaluation of 55 child guidance cases.Behavior Research and Therapy, 1964,2, 131–134.
Hanvik, L., Nelson, S., Hanson, H., Anderson, A., Dressler, W., & Zarling, R. Diagnosis of cerebral dysfunction in child.American Journal of Diseases of Children, 1961,101, 364–75.
Hare, M. Shortened treatment in a child guidance clinic: The results in 119 cases.British Journal of Psychiatry, 1966,112, 613–616.
Hunt, R. Age, sex and service patterns in a child guidance clinic.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1961,2, 185–92.
Knobel, M., Wolman, M., & Mason, E. Hyperkinesis and organicity in children.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1959,1, 310–321.
Levitt, E. The results of psychotherapy with children: An evaluation.Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1957,21, 189–196.
Maclay, I. Prognostic factors in child psychiatry practice.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1967,8, 207–215.
McDermott, J., Harrison, S., Schrager, J., Killins, E., & Dickerson, B. Social class and child psychiatry practice: The clinician's evaluation of the outcome of therapy.American Journal of Psychiatry, 1970,126, 951–6.
Perez-Reyes, M., & Lansing, C. The diagnostic evaluation. A follow-up of 49 children studied in an outpatient clinic.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1967,16, 609–620.
Phillips, E. Parent child psychotherapy: A follow-up study comparing two techniques.Journal of Psychology, 1960,49, 195–202.
Ramsey-Klee, D., & Eiduson, B. A comparative study of two child guidance clinic populations.Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 1969,8, 493–516.
Robins, L.Deviant children grown up. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1966.
Sabot, L., Peck, R., & Raskin, J. The waiting room society: A study of families and children applying to a child psychiatric clinic.Archives of General Psychiatry, 1969,21, 25–32.
Safer, D. Family therapy for children with behavior disorders.Family Process, 1966,5, 243–55.
Safer, D. Establishing boundary lines for families of children with behavior disorders.Psychiatry Quarterly, Supplement, 1968,42, 86–97.
Safer, D., & Allen, R.: Factors associated with improvement in severe reading disability,Psychology in the School, 1973,10, 110–118.
Stewart, M. Hyperactive children.Scientific American, 1970,222 (4), 94–8.
Sundby, H., & Kreyberg, P. Prognosis in child psychiatry. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1968.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Safer, D. Factors affecting outcome in a school mental health service. Community Ment Health J 10, 24–32 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01434567
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01434567