Study of Parent-Adolescent Communication Quality and Its Impact on Treatment Outcomes in Adolescents Aged 14 to 17 Receiving Inpatient Psychiatric Care

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how the quality of communication between parents and adolescents affects mental health outcomes in adolescents receiving inpatient psychiatric care. This observational study focuses on whether adolescents self-reported communication quality with their parents at admission can predict symptom improvement six months later. It also explores changes in communication quality during and after treatment and whether this relates to decisions about placing the adolescent outside the family. The study observes adolescent inpatients aged 14 to 17 years at a child and adolescent psychiatry unit. There are no experimental treatments instead, it tracks self-reported communication quality and symptom severity at admission, during treatment, and at 2, 4, and 6 months after admission. The study also notes if placement outside the family was considered during treatment. Participants will complete assessments of symptoms related to general mental health, depression, and anxiety using specific clinical scales chosen based on their diagnosis. Researchers will also evaluate communication quality changes and clinician ratings about placement discussions. Data on symptom reduction and placement considerations will be analyzed up to six months after admission, with follow-up extending through this period. The total participation time lasts six months after admission.

Adolescent Psychiatry Inpatients: Self-reported Parent-adolescent Communication Quality and Treatment Outcome