The Association between Consumer Satisfaction and Service Outcomes: Predicting Factors in Mental Health Service for Children and Youth

The Association between Consumer Satisfaction and Service Outcomes: Predicting Factors in Mental Health Service for Children and Youth

This study examines the association between the youth satisfaction with mental health services and their outcomes based on the two assumptions: the outcome predicts satisfaction and levels of satisfaction affect the subsequent outcomes. The sample is derived by matching two data sets: Children’s Status Report of outcomes and Children’s Consumer Satisfaction survey data in Kansas. Multiple regression analyses with descriptive statistics were utilized. The study found that satisfaction with workers and medication management were positively related with school attendance, performance, and law enforcement contacts. The importance of specific practices in mental health service agencies and consumer-worker interaction are discussed.