Dimensions of treatment engagement among youth and caregivers: Structural validity of the REACH framework.

Objective: Although the literature on treatment engagement varies in its characterization and enumeration of the relevant dimensions, the dimensionality of treatment engagement has yet to be tested empirically using a uniform measurement approach. We therefore examined the structural validity of a hypothesized five-factor model, using a confirmatory factor-analytic approach applied to youth and caregiver reports of their own perceived level of engagement. Method: Data were obtained from 1,807 primarily Hispanic American (56.0%) and African American/Black (26.3%) youth (Mage = 12.7; 46.8% female) and/or their caregivers participating in school mental health services in Los Angeles, California, and rural South Carolina. Participants (N youth records = 1,415; N caregiver records = 1,361) rated 35 self-report indicators of treatment engagement, hypothesized to represent five REACH dimensions (Relationship, Expectancy, Attendance, Clarity, and Homework), approximately 4 weeks following an intake assessment. Results: Results uniformly supported the hypothesized five-factor models relative to one-factor, youth χdiff(10)² = 2,092.96, p

Source: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology - January 31, 2022 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research