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

Patrick McGonigal; Kathleen A. Moore; Matthew Scott Young

doi:10.4172/2472-5048.100041

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

Patrick McGonigal, Kathleen A. Moore, Matthew Scott Young

University of South Florida

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

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.

Original language	American English
Journal	Dual Diagnosis: Open Access
Volume	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4172/2472-5048.100041
State	Published - Jan 1 2018

Keywords

substance abuse
internalizing disorder
mental health

Disciplines

Health Law and Policy
Mental Disorders

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10.4172/2472-5048.100041License: CC BY

The Moderating Relationship of Comorbid Psychopathology and TreatFinal published version, 377 KBLicense: CC BY

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

abstract = " 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.",

keywords = "substance abuse, internalizing disorder, mental health",

author = "Patrick McGonigal and Moore, {Kathleen A.} and Young, {Matthew Scott}",

year = "2018",

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doi = "10.4172/2472-5048.100041",

language = "American English",

volume = "3",

journal = "Dual Diagnosis: Open Access",

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - substance abuse

KW - internalizing disorder

KW - mental health

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U2 - 10.4172/2472-5048.100041

DO - 10.4172/2472-5048.100041

M3 - Article

VL - 3

JO - Dual Diagnosis: Open Access

JF - Dual Diagnosis: Open Access

ER -

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

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Keywords

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