NCJ Number
216010
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 50 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2006 Pages: 269-279
Date Published
June 2006
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined factors related to subjective stress among a sample of drug-abusing offenders enrolled in two drug court programs in Kentucky.
Abstract
Five main factors emerged as independent predictors of subjective stress for drug-involved offenders. Greater subjective stress was related to poor self-rated health, more negative life events, less social support, the use of escape-avoidance coping strategies, and nonuse of positive reappraisal coping strategies. These finding, coupled with evidence about the link between stress and addictive behaviors, suggests that stress in a drug court setting is likely prevalent and can lead to negative outcomes for drug court clients. The findings should provide an intervention target for managing stress in drug courts. Recommended intervention strategies include teaching positive coping skills and teaching the skills necessary to cultivate social supports. Participants were 500 male clients of 2 Kentucky drug court programs who completed face-to-face interviews as part of a multiwave intervention trial assessing enhancement of the employment status of clients. Variables under analysis as possible correlates of subjective stress were demographic characteristics, self-rated health status, recent drug use, recent criminal activity, social supports, recent negative life events, and coping dispositions. Data analysis included the use of Pearson product-moment correlations and stepwise multiple regression models. Future research should attempt to replicate these findings using a different population and a longitudinal research model. Tables, references