THE ROLE OF PERSONALITY IN TREATMENT OUTCOME FOR DRUG INVOLVED OFFENDERS

Abstract

This study examines the relationship of personality characteristics to drug treatment effectiveness for prison releasees. Prison releasees from two drug treatment programs (an out‐patient setting and a therapeutic community setting) are compared with each other and to releasees from a comparison group. Treatment success is measured 6 months after release from prison in terms of 1) abstinence of illicit drug use and 2) lack of recidivism. The data are analyzed using logistic regression with demographic, criminal history, past drug use, psychological, and treatment measures included in the equations. Findings suggest that several personality dimensions are related to treatment effectiveness, sometimes in unexpected ways. The findings also reveal that different personality characteristics are associated with each of the two measures of treatment success. The results are discussed in terms of policy implications for treatment programs.

Citation

Gossweiler, R.S. and Martin, S.S. (1996), "THE ROLE OF PERSONALITY IN TREATMENT OUTCOME FOR DRUG INVOLVED OFFENDERS", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 16 No. 5/6, pp. 131-155. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb013259