Behavioral Health Services Outcomes That Matter Most to Caregivers of Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Mental Health Needs
Open accessAbstract
This project documents the service outcomes that caregivers value most. A diverse group of caregivers, representing six regions of the United States, participated in two rounds of virtual one-hour focus groups. In round 1, participants identified what they hoped to gain from using behavioral health services for themselves, their families, and their child and discussed what made services a positive experience for them. They then reported their top-three most-hoped-for outcomes. In round 2, groups validated and refined summary findings from round 1. Caregivers prioritized service quality outcomes, primarily. They expressed a desire for an accessible, respectful, and supportive treatment environment, underpinned by well-trained and culturally responsive professionals. Caregivers also desire seamless cross-sector provider collaboration and care transitions, which integrate the insights and preferences of families and children themselves to craft a customized care plan. Priority outcomes not related to service quality included hoping to gain increased knowledge, resources, and tools and techniques to support the mental health needs of their children, to see their children improve their daily functioning and for their child develop more effective interpersonal communication skills. Caregivers also reported hoping to experience less stigma related to the mental health needs of their children and to achieve personal fulfillment for themselves and their children. Research, policies, and mental health services should prioritize and be designed to address the outcomes that matter to youth and families.
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Caregivers of children with mental health needs frequently cite the importance of provider communication and cooperation with their children's schools.
“Caregivers of children with mental health needs frequently cite the importance of provider communication and cooperation with their children’s schools (Graaf et al., 2024)”
From Adequate Care Coordination is Associated with Reduced Unmet Mental Health Needs for Children (2026) · cites this paper as Graaf et al., 2024
Assistance in care coordination across services is highly valued by caregivers.
“assistance in care coordination across services is highly valued by caregivers (Graaf et al., 2024)”
From Adequate Care Coordination is Associated with Reduced Unmet Mental Health Needs for Children (2026) · cites this paper as Graaf et al., 2024
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- Authors
- Graaf, G., Kitchens, K., Sweeney, M., & Thomas, K. C.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Arlington (US)
- Family-Run Executive Director Leadership Association (FREDLA), Elliot City, MD 21042, USA
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
- Corresponding author
- Graaf, Genevieve
- Venue
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2024-02-01
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 172
- ISSN
- 1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC10887955
- OpenAlex
- W4391433535
- Cited by
- 9
- References
- 49
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3
- FWCI
- 4.50
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (#EASCS-24854, 1K01MH129991)
- National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health (#EASCS-24854, 1K01MH129991)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family Caregiving in Mental Illness
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
- Keywords
- caregiver perspectives, child and adolescent mental health, behavioral health services, service outcomes, service quality, intersectoral collaboration, care transitions, culturally responsive care, stigma, caregiver knowledge and skills, family-centered care, youth mental health
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child, Communication, Humans, Mental Health, Mental Health Services, Caregivers, Focus Groups, Young Adult
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