This pilot study compared outcomes for 94 women offenders in San Diego County, CA, who participated in 4 drug court programs. Women were randomized to gender-responsive (GR) programs using Helping Women Recover and Beyond Trauma or standard mixed-gender treatment. Data were collected at program entry, during treatment, and approximately 22 months after treatment entry. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Results showed that GR participants had better in-treatment performance, more positive perceptions related to their treatment experience, and trends indicating reductions in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology. Both groups improved in their self-reported psychological well-being and reported reductions in drug use (p less than .06) and arrest (a diagnosis of PTSD was the primary predictor of reductions in rearrest, p less than .04). Findings show some beneficial effects of adding treatment components oriented toward women's needs. Significant questions remain, particularly around PTSD and whether it should be targeted to improve substance use outcomes for women. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.
Gender-Responsive Drug Court Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial
NCJ Number
240937
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 39 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2012 Pages: 1539-1558
Date Published
December 2012
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This pilot study compared outcomes for 94 women offenders in San Diego County, CA, who participated in 4 drug court programs.
Abstract