EFFICACY OF THE COOPERATIVE ASSESSMENT METHOD (COOPAS) TO IMPROVE THE PSYCHIATRIC CARE OF HELP-SEEKING ADOLESCENTS

Background: Effective treatment of adolescents with psychopathological disorders is essential to reduce late psychiatric morbidity, poor functioning and disability. Objective: In this study, a new adolescents’ assessment method named “Cooperative Assessment” (COOPAS) was developed with the aims of early establishing a good therapeutic alliance and reducing symptoms in order to lower treatment dropouts. Method: To establish COOPAS efficacy, 136 helpseeking adolescents were consecutively recruited, evaluated with the COOPAS 8-week protocol and were followed up for 6 months to detect late dropouts. Hamilton rating scales for Depression and Anxiety (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) and Psychotherapy Relationship Questionnaire (PRQ) were administered before, after 4 weeks and at the end of the assessment. Results: At the end of the assessment, HAM-A and HAM-D scores showed a mean 25% reduction with respect to baseline and CGI, GF-SS and GF-RS were significantly improved. Similarly, WAI-T scale showed a significant increase in all the three subscales and patients transference patterns (PRQ) showed a decrease of the Anxious/Preoccupied and Avoidant/Counterdependent dimensions with a parallel increase of the Secure/Engaged one. After 6 months, dropout rate was 8.8%. Conclusions: COOPAS method has proven effective in early reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms, improving therapeutic alliance and reduce dropout rate in adolescents affected by anxiety and mood disorders.