Initiative Description: Assessments were completed at the beginning of the program, at program completion, and 2 months after completion. The first assessment (completion of standardized questionnaires by adolescents and parents, collection of school attendance info) took place prior to inpatient treatment. At discharge, school attendance was collected from teachers. Adolescent ratings of anxiety/depression and learning behavior were also obtained. The last assessment took place 2 months after the end of treatment, which consisted of a phone interview with one of the parents to collect school attendance info (regular/irregular attendance, missed days/classes) and therapeutic support during the follow-up period (outpatient therapy).

Study Results: Inpatient therapy that included cognitive-behavioral therapy and access to a special school with expertise on teaching children and adolescents improves emotional and disprutive symptoms and school attendance

Reference: Walter et al. (2010). Short term effects of inpatient cognitive behavioral treatment of adolescents with anxious-depressed school absenteeism: an observational study. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 19 :835-844

Level of Evidence: Fair