Psychotropic medication use and clinical outcomes among children and adolescents receiving system of care services.

Objective: Few studies of psychotropic medication use among children and adolescents address the effectiveness of this medication, as it is typically used in naturalistic treatment settings. The objective of this study was to investigate psychotropic medication use among children and adolescents treated in system of care communities, to identify subject characteristics associated with psychotropic medication use, and determine whether psychotropic medication use is associated with reduced symptom severity.

Methods: Data were collected through the National Evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program.