Youth Transition Home from Residential Mental Health Treatment: Caregivers' Perspective

Residential treatment (RT) provides a secure setting where youth with moderate to severe emotional and behavioral disorders reside long-term to receive treatment and care. The purpose of this study was to explore caregivers' perceptions of their child's immediate transition home following residential treatment. Ten mothers of youth discharged from RT participated in a semi-structured interview approximately 4 weeks after discharge from RT in Ontario, Canada. The mothers' reports suggested that there was initially some nervousness in the family but that the youth and family members made good effort in their relationship and youth made good efforts in school. About 40% of participants reported that initially the common problems prior to admission to RT were absent; however, about 2 weeks later these problems resurfaced. Caregivers also reported that youth had difficulty connecting with friends and peers, seemed nervous when re-stablishing relationships with caregivers and had difficulty managing their emotions and life's challenges. Most participants reported a perceived lack of professional supports for caregivers and youth following RT. Participants' narratives indicated a need for a continuity of care after RT. Further implications for practice and research are discussed.