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Wright B, González I, Chen M, Aarons GA, Hunter SB, Godley MD, Purtle J, Dopp AR. Multi-level alignment processes in the sustainment of a youth substance use treatment model following a federal implementation initiative: A mixed method study. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 166:209445. [PMID: 38960147 PMCID: PMC11409813 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Government agencies have identified evidence-based practice (EBP) dissemination as a pathway to high-quality behavioral health care for youth. However, gaps remain about how to best sustain EBPs in treatment organizations in the U.S., especially in resource-constrained settings like publicly-funded youth substance use services. One important, but understudied, determinant of EBP sustainment is alignment: the extent to which multi-level factors that influence sustainment processes and outcomes are congruent, consistent, and/or coordinated. This study examined the role of alignment in U.S. states' efforts to sustain the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), an EBP for youth substance use disorders, during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS In this mixed methods study, the qualitative investigation preceded and informed the quantitative investigation. We interviewed state administrators and providers (i.e., supervisors and clinicians) from 15 states that had completed a federal A-CRA implementation grant; providers also completed surveys. The sample included 50 providers from 35 treatment organizations that reported sustaining A-CRA when the COVID-19 pandemic began, and 20 state administrators. In qualitative thematic analyses, we applied the EPIS (Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment) framework to characterize alignment processes that interviewees described as influential on sustainment. We then used survey items to quantitatively explore the associations described in qualitative themes, using bivariate linear regressions. RESULTS At the time of interview, staff from 80 % of the treatment organizations (n = 28), reported sustaining A-CRA. Providers from both sustainer and non-sustainer organizations, as well as state administrators, described major sources of misalignment when state agencies ceased technical assistance post-grant, and because limited staff capacity conflicted with A-CRA's training model, which was perceived as time-intensive. Participants described the pandemic as exacerbating preexisting challenges, including capacity issues. Sustainer organizations reported seeking new funding to help sustain A-CRA. Quantitative associations between self-rated extent of sustainment and other survey items mostly followed the pattern predicted from the qualitative findings. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic amplified longstanding A-CRA sustainment challenges, but treatment organizations already successfully sustaining A-CRA pre-pandemic largely continued. There are missed opportunities for state-level actors to coordinate with providers on the shared goal of EBP sustainment. A greater focus on alignment processes in research and practice could help states and providers strengthen sustainability planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanche Wright
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America; RAND, Santa Monica, CA, United States of America.
| | - Isabelle González
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Monica Chen
- RAND, Santa Monica, CA, United States of America; Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Gregory A Aarons
- Department of Psychiatry and Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute Dissemination and Implementation Science Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Mark D Godley
- Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, IL, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Purtle
- Department of Public Health Policy & Management and Global Center for Implementation Science, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Alex R Dopp
- RAND, Santa Monica, CA, United States of America
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Spreckelsen TF, Paton LW. Editorial: Open science and methods review for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Child Adolesc Ment Health 2024; 29:223-225. [PMID: 39155348 DOI: 10.1111/camh.12726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
This editorial introduces the journal's new open data policy for original articles using quantitative data. It discusses key opportunities from data and code sharing. It further briefly sets out the new methods review that articles which use quantitative analysis will automatically undergo. With both changes we hope to strengthen our review process and contribute to a better evidence base in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lewis W Paton
- Department of Health Sciences, The Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
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Yang Y(S, Law M, Vaghri Z. New Brunswick's mental health action plan: A quantitative exploration of program efficacy in children and youth using the Canadian Community Health Survey. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301008. [PMID: 38848408 PMCID: PMC11161078 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2011, the New Brunswick government released the New Brunswick Mental Health Action Plan 2011-2018 (Action Plan). Following the release of the Action Plan in 2011, two progress reports were released in 2013 and 2015, highlighting the implementation status of the Action Plan. While vague in their language, these reports indicated considerable progress in implementing the Action Plan, as various initiatives were undertaken to raise awareness and provide additional resources to facilitate early prevention and intervention in children and youth. However, whether these initiatives have yielded measurable improvements in population-level mental health outcomes in children and youth remains unclear. The current study explored the impact of the Action Plan by visualizing the trend in psychosocial outcomes and service utilization of vulnerable populations in New Brunswick before and after the implementation of the Action Plan using multiple datasets from the Canadian Community Health Survey. Survey-weighted ordinary least square regression analyses were performed to investigate measurable improvements in available mental health outcomes. The result revealed a declining trend in the mental wellness of vulnerable youth despite them consistently reporting higher frequencies of mental health service use. This study highlights the need for a concerted effort in providing effective mental health services to New Brunswick youth and, more broadly, Canadian youth, as well as ensuring rigorous routine outcome monitoring and evaluation plans are consistently implemented for future mental health strategies at the time of their initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhi (Stanford) Yang
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Applied Science, and Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Moira Law
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, St. Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Ziba Vaghri
- Global Child Program, Integrated Health Initiative, Faculty of Business, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
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Boyd MR, Becker KD, Park AL, Pham K, Chorpita BF. Managers' Micro-Communities Matter: The Impact of Clinical Supervision Team on Therapist Perception of the Organization. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2024:10.1007/s10488-024-01376-0. [PMID: 38676872 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-024-01376-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Positive organizational climate - employee perceptions of their work environment and the impact of this environment on well-being and functioning - is associated with desirable organizational and client-level outcomes in mental health organizations. Clinical supervisors are well-positioned to impact organizational climate, as they serve as intermediaries between higher-level administrators who drive the policies and procedures and the therapists impacted by such decisions. This cross-sectional study examined the role of clinical supervisors as drivers of therapist perceptions of organizational climate within supervisory teams. Specifically, the present study investigated: (1) shared perceptions of organizational climate among therapists on the same supervisory team; (2) predictors of therapist climate perceptions. Eighty-six therapists were supervised by 22 supervisors. Indices of interrater agreement and interrater reliability of therapists on the same supervisory team were examined to determine shared or distinct perceptions of organizational climate. Multi-level models were used to examine whether supervisor attitudes towards evidence-based practices and therapist perceptions of supervisor communication predicted perceived organizational climate. Results showed perceptions of organizational cohesion and autonomy were shared among therapists on the same supervisory team and distinct from therapists on different supervisory teams. Therapist perceptions of their supervisor's communication was positively associated with perceptions of organizational cohesion and autonomy. These findings align with emerging evidence that middle managers shape their employees' experience of their work environment through communication strategies. These findings also point to the potential for intervening at lower organizational levels to improve overall organizational climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith R Boyd
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, 502 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Kimberly D Becker
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Alayna L Park
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Pham
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, 502 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Bruce F Chorpita
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, 502 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
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Wojtaszek JA, Ham HL, Bruni TP, Sunde E, Drossel C, Maragakis A. Feasibility and Acceptability of a Pediatric Primary Care Physician Training for Anxiety Screening and Evidence-based Intervention. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2024:99228241234229. [PMID: 38420946 DOI: 10.1177/00099228241234229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Anxiety is one of the most prevalent psychological conditions in the pediatric population, and its associated impairments often persist into adulthood. Pediatricians are in a unique position to screen, briefly intervene, and facilitate treatment to prevent long-term impacts. However, they often do not have adequate training to do so. The current study addressed this gap by providing a brief online educational workshop aimed to promote: (1) screening for anxiety and (2) follow-up with appropriate evidence-based interventions. Fifty-three providers participated, and 38 completed surveys pre- and post-training. Findings indicate acceptability of the training to providers, improved knowledge related to anxiety, and increased readiness to manage anxiety during a medical visit. This study supports the utility of a brief, online training on screening and provision of evidence-based treatment for anxiety in pediatric primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Wojtaszek
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, USA
| | - Hannah L Ham
- Departments of Psychology and Pediatrics, University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Teryn P Bruni
- Department of Psychology, Algoma University, Sault Ste Marie, ON, Canada
| | - Eleah Sunde
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, USA
| | - Claudia Drossel
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, USA
| | - Alexandros Maragakis
- DEREE College-School of Graduate and Professional Studies, The American College of Greece, Athens, Greece
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Graaf G, Kitchens K, Sweeney M, Thomas KC. Behavioral Health Services Outcomes That Matter Most to Caregivers of Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Mental Health Needs. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:172. [PMID: 38397663 PMCID: PMC10887955 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
This project documents the service outcomes that caregivers value most. A diverse group of caregivers, representing six regions of the United States, participated in two rounds of virtual one-hour focus groups. In round 1, participants identified what they hoped to gain from using behavioral health services for themselves, their families, and their child and discussed what made services a positive experience for them. They then reported their top-three most-hoped-for outcomes. In round 2, groups validated and refined summary findings from round 1. Caregivers prioritized service quality outcomes, primarily. They expressed a desire for an accessible, respectful, and supportive treatment environment, underpinned by well-trained and culturally responsive professionals. Caregivers also desire seamless cross-sector provider collaboration and care transitions, which integrate the insights and preferences of families and children themselves to craft a customized care plan. Priority outcomes not related to service quality included hoping to gain increased knowledge, resources, and tools and techniques to support the mental health needs of their children, to see their children improve their daily functioning and for their child develop more effective interpersonal communication skills. Caregivers also reported hoping to experience less stigma related to the mental health needs of their children and to achieve personal fulfillment for themselves and their children. Research, policies, and mental health services should prioritize and be designed to address the outcomes that matter to youth and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve Graaf
- School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
| | - Katherine Kitchens
- School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
| | - Millie Sweeney
- Family-Run Executive Director Leadership Association (FREDLA), Elliot City, MD 21042, USA
| | - Kathleen C. Thomas
- Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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