Therapist and Youth Predictors of Specific Practices Derived from the Evidence-Base in Community Mental Health

Over the past several years, youth treatment research has moved toward understanding the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs). As a result, studies have focused on identifying predictors that aid in successful adoption and sustainment of EBPs. Theories of behavior change posit that therapist knowledge and attitudes play a fundamental role in EBP adoption; however, studies have produced mixed findings, which may be an artifact of broad definitions of both EBP knowledge and EBP itself. The current study was an examination of 46 youth community therapists and the extent to which varying types of knowledge and attitudes as well as youth characteristics predicted specific practices derived from the evidence-base. Results suggested that specific EBP knowledge predicted specific practices, highlighting the need for more specificity when examining predictors of EBP use. Therapists’ attitudes, demographic characteristics, and youth characteristics were also significant predictors of EBP use. Future research should consider examining discrete and specific practices to better understand and predict therapists’ future behavior.