Adolescent Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment: Clinicians' Attitudes, Values, and Knowledge

• NCJ Number: 234504
• Journal: Child and Youth Services Volume: 32 Issue: 1 Dated: January-March 2011 Pages: 56-74
• Author(s): Ramona W. Denby; Jesse A. Brinson; Jessica Ayala
• Date Published: March 2011
• Length: 19 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin (SAMHSA)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined surveys from clinicans who served children with co-occurring disorders.

Abstract

This study examined community-based clinicians' (N = 294) attitudes, background/experiences, values, and knowledge relating to issues of co-occurring disorders, which occur at a high rate among adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system. Study results reveal that clinicians self-rate their clinical values and attitudes at or above the expected level of competency, but they concede that their skill and knowledge levels are not adequate. Comparison measures reveal that employment setting conditions, geographic region, hours worked per week, and strongly held convictions about the importance of integrated mental health and substance use disorders service delivery distinguish clinicians' co-occurring disorders knowledge levels. Implications are offered. (Published Abstract)