Offering a unifying theoretical perspective not readily available in any other text, this innovative guide to econometrics uses simple geometrical arguments to develop students' intuitive understanding of basic and advanced topics, emphasizing throughout the practical applications of modern theory and nonlinear techniques of estimation. One theme of the text is the use of artificial regressions for estimation, reference, and specification testing of nonlinear models, including diagnostic tests for parameter constancy, serial correlation, heteroscedasticity, and other types of mis-specification. Explaining how estimates can be obtained and tests can be carried out, the authors go beyond a mere algebraic description to one that can be easily translated into the commands of a standard econometric software package. Covering an unprecedented range of problems with a consistent emphasis on those that arise in applied work, this accessible and coherent guide to the most vital topics in econometrics today is indispensable for advanced students of econometrics and students of statistics interested in regression and related topics. It will also suit practising econometricians who want to update their skills. Flexibly designed to accommodate a variety of course levels, it offers both complete coverage of the basic material and separate chapters on areas of specialized interest.

Estimation and Inference in Econometrics

Objective To review recent progress in child and adolescent psychiatric epidemiology in the area of prevalence and burden. Method The literature published in the past decade was reviewed under two headings: methods and findings. Results Methods for assessing the prevalence and community burden of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders have improved dramatically in the past decade. There are now available a broad range of interviews that generate DSM and ICD diagnoses with good reliability and validity. Clinicians and researchers can choose among interview styles (respondent based, interviewer based, best estimate) and methods of data collection (paper and pencil, computer assisted, interviewer or self-completion) that best meet their needs. Work is also in progress to develop brief screens to identify children in need of more detailed assessment, for use by teachers, pediatricians, and other professionals. The median prevalence estimate of functionally impairing child and adolescent psychiatric disorders is 12%, although the range of estimates is wide. Disorders that often appear first in childhood or adolescence are among those ranked highest in the World Health Organization's estimates of the global burden of disease. Conclusions There is mounting evidence that many, if not most, lifetime psychiatric disorders will first appear in childhood or adolescence. Methods are now available to monitor youths and to make early intervention feasible.

10-Year Research Update Review: The Epidemiology of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders: I. Methods and Public Health Burden

Fidelity may be defined as the extent to which delivery of an intervention adheres to the protocol or program model originally developed. Fidelity measurement has increasing significance for evaluation, treatment effectiveness research, and service administration. Yet few published studies using fidelity criteria provide details on the construction of a valid fidelity index. The purpose of this review article is to outline steps in the development, measurement, and validation of fidelity criteria, providing examples from health and education literatures. We further identify important issues in conducting each step. Finally, we raise questions about the dynamic nature of fidelity criteria, appropriate validation and statistical analysis methods, the inclusion of structure and process criteria in fidelity assessment, and the role of program theory in deciding on the balance between adaptation versus exact replication of model programs. Further attention to the use and refinement of fidelity criteria is important to evaluation practice.

/pdf/fidelity-criteria-development-measurement-and-validation-229bb5xmo7.pdf

Fidelity Criteria: Development, Measurement, and Validation.

Racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric mental health.

Objectives. We determined whether or not juvenile detainees with major mental disorders received treatment, and the variables that predicted who received services.Methods. Our sample was 1829 randomly selected juvenile detainees taking part in the Northwestern Juvenile Project. To determine need for mental health services, independent interviewers administered the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children and rated functional impairment using the Child Global Assessment Scale. Records on service provision were obtained from the juvenile justice and public health systems.Results. Among detainees who had major mental disorders and associated functional impairments, 15.4% received treatment in the detention center and 8.1% received treatment in the community by the time of case disposition or 6 months, whichever came first. Significantly more girls than boys were detected and treated. Receiving treatment was predicted by clinical variables (having a major mental disorder or reported treatment history or sui...

Detecting mental disorder in juvenile detainees: who receives services.

Objectives We evaluated how improved mental health services affect justice involvement among juveniles treated in the public mental health system Methods Our analyses were based on administrative and interview data collected in 2 communities participating in the evaluation of a national initiative designed to improve mental health services for children and youths Results Results derived from Cox proportional hazard models suggested that better mental health services reduced the risks of initial and subsequent juvenile justice involvement by 31% and 28%, respectively Effects were somewhat more pronounced for serious offenses Conclusions Our findings suggest that improved mental health services reduce the risk of juvenile justice involvement

https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdfplus/10.2105/AJPH.94.5.859

Can Better Mental Health Services Reduce the Risk of Juvenile Justice System Involvement

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated how improved community mental health services for youths affect public expenditures in other sectors, including inpatient hospitalization, the juvenile justice system, the child welfare system, and the special education system. METHODS: Participants were youths aged six to 17 years who received services through a mental health agency in one of a matched pair of communities. One community delivered mental health services according to the principles of systems of care (N=220). The comparison community delivered mental health services but did not provide for the interagency integration of services (N=211). The analyses are based on administrative and interview data. RESULTS: Preliminary analyses revealed that mental health services delivered as part of a system-of-care approach are more expensive. However, incorporating expenditures in other sectors reduced the between-site gap in expenditures from 81 to 18 percent. This estimate is robust to changes in analytical methods as w...

https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/pdf/10.1176/appi.ps.56.1.50

Public Costs of Better Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents

Evaluation of the Connecticut Title IV-E Waiver Program: Assessing the Effectiveness, Implementation Fidelity, and Cost/Benefits of a Continuum of Care

The Connecticut Department of Children and Families Title IV-E waiver demonstration evaluated whether the well-being of children approved for residential mental health services could be improved, and lengths of stay in restrictive placements reduced, by providing case rate payments to community agencies to provide continuum of care services. Children between ages 7 and 15 were randomly assigned to either the demonstration group (n = 78) or to usual state-supported services (n = 79). One-year outcome results indicated that in a situation that is less costly, improvement in outcomes occurred in less restrictive settings. Continuum of care services were more effective in 1) returning children to in-home placements, 2) reducing the length of stay in restrictive placements, and (3) utilizing higher levels of case management through coordination among agencies and family support services.

Tim Connor

Papers

Can Better Mental Health Services Reduce the Risk of Juvenile Justice System Involvement

Public Costs of Better Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents

Evaluation of the Connecticut Title IV-E Waiver Program: Assessing the Effectiveness, Implementation Fidelity, and Cost/Benefits of a Continuum of Care

Outcomes of a randomized trial of continuum of care services for children in a child welfare system