ABSTRACT

Clinicians and researchers have had a longstanding interest in the possibility of improving treatment outcomes among varied client populations by matching clients to treatments. In this chapter, we first present a general model of person–environment congruence for clients in residential treatment facilities. This model matches the client’s level of functioning (in the cognitive, psychological, and social domains) with the treatment program’s levels of support, performance demands, and structure. Our review of empirical work focuses mainly on models of matching psychiatric and substance abuse patients to treatment programs. We also review research on models of matching youths with conduct disorders to correctional facilities. The chapter considers some key conceptual and methodological issues that are raised by efforts to apply matching models, and by research on such efforts. Finally, we highlight some promising directions for research on patient-treatment matching.