NCJ Number
210107
Journal
Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2000 Pages: 257-270
Date Published
August 2000
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study used cluster analysis to develop a five-group typology of juvenile mental health clients based on the eight subscales of the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS).
Abstract
Data used in this effort were obtained from 4,758 juveniles referred to Community Mental Health Service Providers in Michigan. Since the purpose of the study was to classify new admissions on the basis of types of impairment, only those youths identified with impairments by the CAFAS were included in this study. Cluster analysis was performed to identify homogeneous groups of clients based on their scores on the eight subscales of the CAFAS: School/Work, Home, Community, Behavior Toward Others, Moods, Self-harm, Substance Use, and Thinking. The cluster analysis was used as an exploratory procedure that differentiated among natural groupings of cases based on their values on specified variables. Five groupings were distinguished and labeled according to their scores on the various CAFAS subscales. The five groups were labeled as "Substance Users/Externalizing" (n=264); "Comorbid/Self-Harmful" (n=625); "Delinquent" (n=681); "Marked/School Problems" (n=1,469); and "Adjustment Problems With Impairment/Secondary Prevention" (n=1,719). These identified clusters formed a hierarchy along a continuum of overall level of impairment in a youth's functioning and in caregiver's resourcefulness. The information on cluster membership is being used to better match treatment to the specific needs of youths. 4 tables and 33 references