Citation

Joe GW, Lehman WEK, Rowan GA, Knight K, Flynn PM. J. Subst. Abuse Treat. 2019; 102: 23-32.

Affiliation

Institute of Behavioral Research, Texas Christian University, TCU Box 298740, Fort Worth, TX 76129, USA. Electronic address: p.flynn@tcu.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jsat.2019.03.011

PMID

31202285

Abstract

The role of physical and psychological health is examined as a predictor of client engagement in prison-based drug treatment. A treatment process model was expanded to include physical and mental health issues. The sample included 6009 offenders in prison-based drug treatment, comprised of 67% male, 26% African American, 51% white, and 22% Hispanic; average age was 34.6. Half reported "some physical health concerns" and mentioned a variety of ailments. A fifth reported moderate stress on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and 15% reported PTSD based on the PTSD Check List (PCL). Structural equation modeling was used to model treatment engagement in terms of demographics, physical health concerns, psychological distress, HIV risky behaviors, self-esteem, decision making, and treatment motivation. Two random samples were created, with one used for estimation and the other for cross-validation. The findings suggested physical health and HIV risky behaviors have effects on client engagement through psychological functioning, and that psychological functioning has direct effects on treatment engagement.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Drug treatment; Physical health problems; Prison-based treatment; Psychological health problems; Treatment engagement