J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2021 Mar 22:S0890-8567(21)00155-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2021.02.022. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Wraparound is a common method for coordinating care for children and adolescents with serious emotional disorders (SED), with nearly 100,000 youth served annually in the U.S. The current systematic review and meta-analysis estimated effects on youth outcomes (symptoms, functioning, school, juvenile justice, and residential placement) and costs.
METHOD: A literature search identified 17 peer-reviewed and grey literature studies meeting criteria, which were coded on characteristics of sample, design, implementation, and outcomes. Random effects modeling was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 3.0. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedges’ g. Homogeneity of effects were assessed using Q statistics.
RESULTS: Medium-sized effects favored Wraparound-enrolled youth for costs (g =.391, CI = [.282, .500], p < .001), residential outcomes (g = .413, CI = [.176, .650], p = .001), and school functioning (g = .397, CI = [.106, .688], p = .007); small effects were found for mental health symptoms (g = .358, CI = [.030, .687], p = .033) and functioning (g = .315, CI = [.086, .545], p = .007). Larger effects were found for peer-reviewed studies, quasi-experimental designs, samples with a larger percentage of youth of color, and Wraparound conditions with higher fidelity.
CONCLUSION: Results indicate positive effects for Wraparound, especially for maintaining youth with SED in home and community. However, many studies showed methodological weaknesses and fidelity measurement was largely absent, suggesting a need for additional research. Nonetheless, the results should aid decisions around resource allocation, referral practices, and system partnerships among child psychiatrists and other behavioral health professionals.
PMID:33785404 | DOI:10.1016/j.jaac.2021.02.022
