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Examining Racial and Ethnic Differences in Youth Psychotherapy Treatment Engagement and Outcomes

Year: 2023
Type: preprint
Abstract: Objective: Research has identified racial/ethnic disparities in mental health treatment engagement. Yet, most existing effectiveness research overlooks the potential moderating effects of treatment attitudinal and behavioral engagement. The study addressed this gap and built on recent calls to examine effects of mental health treatment engagement on clinical outcomes among marginalized youth. Methods: N=200 youth (ages 7-15; 33% White, 28% Black, 25% Hispanic/Latinx, and 14% Multiracial; 52% male) and their N=200 parents participated in a randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of a transdiagnostic psychotherapy for common youth emotional and behavioral problems. Youth and parents reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms and treatment engagement (e.g., behavioral and attitudinal). Multilevel regression models examined variations in youth symptom trajectories by racial/ethnic group. Results: In the full sample, the number of sessions attended was significantly associated with reductions in youth-reported internalizing problems, and there were significant racial differences in treatment session attendance: Black and Latinx youth attended significantly fewer sessions than White and Multiracial youth (8-9 versus 13). However, youth in all racial/ethnic groups showed significant, and similar, improvements in treatment outcomes. All racial/ethnic groups also showed comparable attitudinal engagement scores. Conclusions: Youth of Color attended fewer sessions than White youth, but their clinical outcomes were similar to those of White youth. Future research should examine the meaning and implications of session attendance in relation to outcomes in youth of Color.
DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/v9cdb_v1
Institution: Harvard University
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4408360186
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Cited by: 1
Related to: 10