Open AccessPROTOCOL: Independent living programmes for improving outcomes for young people leaving the care system
Author(s) -
Donkoh C,
Underhill K,
Montgomery P
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
campbell systematic reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.295
H-Index - 4
ISSN - 1891-1803
DOI - 10.1002/cl2.30
Subject(s) - cinahl , medicine , medline , intervention (counseling) , randomized controlled trial , family medicine , gerontology , psychological intervention , nursing , surgery , political science , law
The objective of this Campbell systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of independent living programmes (ILPs) for young people leaving the care system. The following electronic databases were searched: Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Issue 3, 2005); MEDLINE (1966 to June 2005); EMBASE (1980 to June 2005); CINAHL (1982 to June 2005); Psyc INFO (1887 to June 2005); Sociological Abstracts (1952 ‐ June 2005); Applied Social Science Index and Abstracts (ASSIA) (1987‐ June 2005) and Dissertation Abstracts (to June 2005). All bibliographies were cross‐referenced, and experts were contacted for unpublished or ongoing studies. Studies were included if they were randomised or quasi‐randomised controlled trials comparing ILPs to standard care, another intervention, no intervention, or a wait‐list control, for young people leaving care systems at their country's statutory age of discharge. No study was found that met the inclusion criteria of the review. Eighteen studies using non‐randomised or noncomparative designs were found, which generally reported favourable outcomes for ILP participants; however, reliable inferences cannot be drawn from these studies due to their use of weak methodology. Results from randomised controlled trials show no evidence of the effectiveness of ILPs in improving or impairing outcomes for young people discharged from care. Further research into ILPs using randomised controlled designs is needed.