Process Evaluation of a Treatment Program for Mood and Anxiety Disorders Among Emerging Adults: Preentry Factors, Engagement, and Outcomes

Objective:

Effective mental health services for emerging adults are needed. This work evaluated the logic model of one such program and assessed participation and medium-term outcomes.

Methods:

Baseline data were collected from 398 emerging adults attending an intake appointment at a mood and anxiety disorders treatment program in Canada for persons ages 16–25. Questionnaires about demographic characteristics, prior help seeking, symptoms, functional impairment, and health satisfaction were completed at baseline and at follow-up, approximately 2 to 10 months later (mean=6 months), depending on participants’ availability and willingness. Program satisfaction was also assessed. Preentry characteristics and disengagement were evaluated. Repeated-measures analyses were used to evaluate outcomes.

Results:

The program did not require physician referral; however, emerging adults who contacted the program had extensive prior help seeking: 73% had seen a family doctor and 32% had visited an emergency department. Among 370 individuals for whom full intake data were available, scores indicated moderate depression, moderate anxiety, and low satisfaction with quality of health. They reported either not functioning or underfunctioning for a mean of 4.3 days per week. Follow-up data indicated significant improvement on all measures, including clinically significant improvement in both depression and functioning. Patient satisfaction was high, and quality of health improved significantly.

Conclusions:

Results indicate that the model studied, which emphasizes early-stage intervention for mood and anxiety disorders among emerging adults, was associated with statistical and clinical improvement at intermediate follow-up. Outputs and medium-term outcomes of the model were satisfied.