Long-term outcome of inpatient psychotherapy for adolescents (IPA) with personality pathology

Dine Feenstra, Annelies Laurenssen, Reinier Timman, R Verheul, Jan van Busschbach, J Hutsebaut

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2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Little is known about the effectiveness of treatment programs for adolescents with personality disorders (PDs). This descriptive study investigated long-term outcomes of inpatient psychotherapy for adolescents (IPA). In addition, predictors of long-term treatment effects were investigated. Seventy adolescents who completed their treatment were followed during and after their stay in IPA. Semistructured interviews were used to assess Axis I and Axis II disorders. Patients completed questionnaires to measure symptom severity and personality styles and functioning. Patients showed improvements (d ranging from .18 to .80). After leaving IPA, a small relapse rate was shown Higher levels of dependency or more Cluster C PD traits significantly predicted positive long-term treatment outcome. Although IPA might be effective for a particular group of adolescents, mean long-term treatment effects were at best modest. Given the high costs of IPA, developing adjustments to IPA and their guidelines is warranted to ensure cost-effectiveness.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)637-656
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Personality Disorders
Volume28
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - 2014

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