Comparing Agency Leader and Therapist Perspectives on Evidence-Based Practices: Associations with Individual and Organizational Factors in a Mental Health System-Driven Implementation Effort

Nicole A Stadnick; Anna S Lau; Miya Barnett; Jennifer Regan; Gregory A Aarons; Lauren Brookman-Frazee

doi:10.1007/s10488-017-0835-9

Comparing Agency Leader and Therapist Perspectives on Evidence-Based Practices: Associations with Individual and Organizational Factors in a Mental Health System-Driven Implementation Effort

Adm Policy Ment Health. 2018 May;45(3):447-461. doi: 10.1007/s10488-017-0835-9.

Authors

Nicole A Stadnick^{1

2}, Anna S Lau³, Miya Barnett⁴, Jennifer Regan⁵, Gregory A Aarons^{6

7}, Lauren Brookman-Frazee^{6

7}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. nstadnic@ucsd.edu.
² Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, 3665 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA. nstadnic@ucsd.edu.
³ Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
⁴ Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA.
⁵ Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, Pasadena, CA, USA.
⁶ Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
⁷ Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, 3665 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA.

Abstract

Agency leaders and therapists are essential stakeholders in implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) within publicly-funded mental health services. Little is known about how these stakeholders differ in their perceptions of specific EBPs and which individual and organizational factors differentially influence these perceptions. Within the context of a system-driven implementation of multiple EBPs, survey data from 160 leaders and 720 therapists were examined to assess differences in perceptions of six EBPs. Findings indicated that leaders and therapists have unique perspectives and preferences regarding EBPs that are shaped by distinct sociodemographic and professional characteristics and aspects of organizational functioning.

Keywords: Children’s mental health services; Evidence-based practice; Leader perspectives; Organizational context; Therapist perspectives.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel
Child
Child Health Services / organization & administration*
Community Mental Health Services / organization & administration*
Evidence-Based Practice*
Female
Humans
Implementation Science
Leadership*
Male
Middle Aged
Psychotherapy*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding