Youth post-discharge recovery and family adjustment after inpatient mental health treatment - study protocol for the longitudinal mixed-methods ReCoVer study.

BACKGROUND: High readmission rates after child and adolescent inpatient treatment point to underrecognized issues in the post-discharge period. With a shift towards early reintegration in youth mental health care, the family environment youth return to is of particular importance for post-discharge outcomes, but there is currently a knowledge gap on family-level risk and protective factors in this context. Caregiver burden may act as a crucial mechanism linking family context to youth recovery. METHODS AND DESIGN: The ReCoVer study investigates caregivers' perspectives on family care and youth mental health following inpatient psychiatric treatment (minimum 24-hour stay) of youth aged 7-21 in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In a mixed-methods design, ReCoVer combines a longitudinal panel survey with semi-structured interviews. Caregivers of youth who received inpatient mental health treatment (target N = 70) will be recruited during discharge planning or follow-up sessions within one month after discharge. At baseline (T0) and after three (T1) and six (T2) months, participants will report on youth outcomes, caregiver well-being, and family processes. Primary outcomes (inpatient readmission, mental health problems) will be analyzed with regard to the contribution of caregiver burden and other family factors. Interview and survey data will be synthesized to identify burden, resources, and needs of families around their child's return to home care. DISCUSSION: Results from this study are expected to provide insights into family challenges and their associations with youth mental health in the immediate and medium-term post-discharge period. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06865573, NCT06865573.