Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Health Services

Advisor

Richard Jimenez

Abstract

Anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders are some of the frequently occurring mental illnesses among Canadian children and adolescents that can result in debilitating short and long terms outcomes. The rise in readmission rates for recipients of mental illness in Saskatchewan, coupled with the high incidences of suicide-related deaths, necessitates a patient outcome evaluation for predictors of readmission to youth counseling services among adolescents. The purpose of this secondary data analysis study was to explore the associations between anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling, and the outcome of readmission within 1 year following discharge from youth counseling programs. Age, gender, and socioeconomic status were tested for interactions between the independent and dependent variables. The social ecological model of health behavior was used in understanding the study findings. Data from the Saskatoon Health Region Addiction and Mental Health Information System database were used for chi-square and multiple binary logistic regression analyses. Findings showed a statistically significant association between anxiety and readmission (p = 0.046, odds ratio =. 707). The association for anxiety was modified by age (p = 0.038). Depression showed a strong association with readmission (p = 0.001, odds ratio = 1.722) even after examining for effect modification. Additional prospective cohort studies over a long period of time are needed for at risk youth. The potential positive social change impact of this study is better outcome and overall quality of life of program participants; both of which can be achieved through investments in resources to reduce readmission to youth community counseling program.

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