An exploratory investigation of the relationship between selected strength-based constructs with adolescents in residential treatment

This study explored the relationship between subject's perceptions of their ability to form trusting and supportive relationships (relatedness) and perceived levels of family involvement to time spent in a restrictive time out program (WISP) at a Midwest residential treatment center for children and adolescents. An ANOVA procedure was utilized to determine correlation between the constructs. Notable correlations between ability to form relationships and family involvement and time spent in time out/seclusion were observed; however, none proved to be statistically significant. The exploratory nature of the study allowed for serendipitous findings and, subsequently, a separate construct, Emotional Reactivity, did suggest a relationship to time spent in seclusion and would be an area for future research.;Significant weaknesses in this research include the short duration of the study, specificity of the sample, and lack of a priori codification for time spent in seclusion/time out.