The ARCH Lab recently published a manuscript using the DETOUR study data titled “Mental and psychosocial health among youth after their first psychiatric hospitalization: a feasibility study”. The paper was published in the journal BMC Research Notes.

This small-scale study investigated a group of inpatient youth with a first psychiatric hospitalization. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of studying 12-month readmission rates of young adolescents following their first psychiatric hospitalization as well as changes in mental and psychosocial health.

Data were collected through a series of structured interviews and questionnaires at recruitment, 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-discharge. Results indicate that readmission rates to hospital in this sample were consistent with recent reports of larger more diverse samples of youth at 20.0% (n = 3; mean age 13.6 ± 1.5 years; 100% female). Findings showing improvements in symptoms of mental health, HRQL, and disability were positive, though may be attributed to regression to mean or threshold effects for the measures.

This preliminary work illustrates feasibility as youth are eager to participate in this type of study, even during a vulnerable time in their lives. This study demonstrates the need to engage youth and their families to understand their mental and psychosocial health.