Efficacy of the Cooperative Assessment Method (COOPAS) to Improve the Psychiatric Care of Help-Seeking Adolescents

Overview

Journal Clin Neuropsychiatry

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2021 Dec 15

PMID 34908955

Authors

Mario Biagiarelli

Martina Curto

Giulia Listanti

Maria Paola Andraos

Floriana Pazzelli

Veronica Aprile

Simona Pelaccia

Beatrice Mantovani

Federica Caccia

Renato Carpentieri

Guido Trabucchi

Renata Tambelli

Paolo Girardi

Stefano Ferracuti

Ross J Baldessarini

Cinzia Sarlatto

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Effective treatment of adolescents with psychopathological disorders is essential to reduce later morbidity and disability.To evaluate the clinical value of a new adolescent Cooperative Assessment scheme (COOPAS) as indicated by establishing therapeutic alliance, improving symptoms, and particularly by reducing dropouts.

Method: Consecutive help-seeking adolescents (N=136) were recruited, evaluated with an 8-week COOPAS protocol and followed for 6 months to document dropouts during treatment. Clinical rating scales [Hamilton Depression and Anxiety scales (HAM-D, HAM-A), Global Functioning Role and Social Scales (GF-RS, GF-SS), Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms (SIPS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Working Alliance Inventory-Therapist version (WAI-T), Therapist Response Questionnaire (TRQ), Psychotherapy Relationship Questionnaire (PRQ)] were administered at intake, 4 weeks later, and at the end of COOPAS evaluation (8 weeks).

Results: Final HAM-A and HAM-D scores improved by 25%; CGI, GF-SS and GF-RS also improved significantly. Similarly, WAI-T showed significant improvements in all three subscales, and patient-clinician relationships (PRQ) showed decreases in Anxious/Preoccupied and Avoidant/Counterdependent dimensions with increases of the Secure/Engaged measure. After 6 months, dropout rate was 8.82%.

Conclusions: COOPAS assessment was followed by reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms, good therapeutic alliance, and low dropout in adolescents.

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