ద్వంద్వ నిర్ధారణ: ఓపెన్ యాక్సెస్ అందరికి ప్రవేశం

నైరూప్య

The Moderating Relationship of Comorbid Psychopathology and Treatment Outcome for Young Adult Offenders in Drug Court

Patrick T. McGonigal, Kathleen A. Moore, Matthew Scott Young

Title: The moderating relationship of comorbid psychopathology and treatment outcome for young adult offenders in drug court.

Background: The drug court system is an alternative to incarceration that provides offenders with non-violent, substance motivated crimes with an opportunity to dismiss their charges and undergo a rigorous substance abuse treatment program. It is unknown whether drug court is effective for young adult clients and the role of co-occurring psychopathology within this context.

Methods: This study evaluated the overall effectiveness of a drug court system applied to young adult offenders ages 18-26, and additionally explored the moderating relationship of psychiatric symptoms on treatment outcome. Seventy-four clients were assessed at baseline and at 6-month follow-up.

Findings: Participants reported reductions in substance use (M=35.51, SD=29.92; M=7.79, SD=17.83; t(71)=7.00, p<0.001) and mental health symptoms (M=48.26, SD=36.49; M=36.40, SD=37.99; t(71)=2.05, p<0.05) at follow-up. Additionally, moderators of outcome were found based on internalizing and externalizing mental health symptoms.

Conclusions: Drug court may be an effective alternative to incarceration for young adults and may benefit higher severity clients in particular.