Nation's First Study of Private Residential Treatment Programs Shows:
Teens Improve at Aspen Education Group
Read more: Results one year after discharge >>
Between August 2003 and January 2006, Aspen Education Group participated in the nation's first large-scale study of its kind, measuring the effectiveness of Aspen's private residential programs for teens and their families. The study collected survey responses, both at program admission and then again at discharge, from 993 young people ages 13-18, enrolled in Aspen's residential programs. The study also collected responses from their parents or guardians. The following are highlights that might prove valuable in evaluating your decision to enroll your child in a private residential program.
This ground breaking study was conducted by an independent research company, Canyon Research and Consulting, with oversight by the Western Institutional Review Board. Results of this study were presented at the 114th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association – August 2006.
Aspen's Programs Reduce Behavioral Problems
Teens Are Behaving Better As A Result Of Aspen's Programs
What Parents And Their Teens Told Researchers: At admission to the program, common behaviors included:
- Aggressiveness
- Withdrawal
- Rule breaking
Aspen's Programs Reduce Emotional Problems
Aspen's Programs Help Teens Feel Better About Themselves
What Parents And Their Teens Told Researchers: The majority of teens entering the program were experiencing emotional problems, including higher levels of:
- Anxiety
- Depression
Aspen's Private Residential Programs Succeed Where Others Do Not...
What Parents And Their Teens Told Researchers: 95% of the teens had received prior treatment at other levels-of-care including:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Psychiatric hospitalization
- Use of prescribed psychiatric medication
- Treatment at another residential therapy program or boarding school
Additionally…
8 out of 10 teens who came to Aspen residential programs previously participated in individual and/or group therapy.
Why This May Be Important To You: Aspen's residential programs provided more than just hope for these teens and their families. Teens who have not responded to other treatments improve during treatment at Aspen's private residential treatment programs.
Better Lives For Teens
What Parents And Their Teens Told Researchers: Upon admission, teens were experiencing various psychological and social challenges including:
- Disruptive behavior disorders
- Substance abuse
- Mood disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Learning disorders
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
- Anxiety
- Trauma
Aspen Helps Families In Trouble
What Parents And Their Teens Told Researchers: At discharge from the program, both parents and teens reported:
- Better family communications
- Improved personal family dynamics
What this study means for parents. Aspen Education Group recognizes the difficult challenges parents face when considering a treatment program for their child. Parents often wonder…will a program work for my child? For our family? This study indicates that, yes, Aspen's residential programs do work. They help create better lives for teens, parents and the whole family.
What this study means for students. Aspen's programs help teens to feel better about themselves, improve their behavior and develop stronger family relationships.
Funding for this study was provided by Aspen Education Group.