Youth motivation as a predictor of treatment outcomes in a community mental health system

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between youth motivation and psychotherapy outcomes in routine community mental health settings. Method: One hundred fifty youth, ages 12–17, from three community mental health clinics completed the Youth Outcome Questionnaire and Treatment Support Measure at frequent intervals over the course of treatment. Results: Increases in motivation followed a curvilinear trajectory. On average, youth motivation significantly increased over the course of therapy according to both self- and parent reports (p < .001). The slope for youth motivation over the course of therapy was negatively associated with the slope for mental health symptoms (p < .001). Initial youth motivation did not predict overall change or the rate of change in symptoms. However, there was significant individual variability in patterns of youth motivation. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that youth show increases in motivation over the course of therapy with most ...