NCJ Number
138075
Date Published
1990
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This chapter reviews research that is relevant to the treatment-offender matching hypothesis within the drunk-driving intervention field.
Abstract
Evidence on drunk-driving offenders has led reviewers to re-evaluate the conclusions that have been drawn from the remedial intervention research. Underlying this re-evaluation is a consensus among researchers that significant heterogeneity exists among drunk-driving offenders, not only with regard to alcohol abuse, but also with regard to personality, attitudes, and behaviors. The matching hypotheses proposes that these differences among offenders who commit similar offenses must be matched to treatment programs tailored to these differences if treatment is to be effective. The findings of studies that have assessed interactions between demographic characteristics and type of drunk-driving intervention are preliminary and in need of replication; however, they do suggest that current theories of drunk-driving behavior and intervention strategies--developed primarily on the basis of a young or middle-aged white male, which is the modal demographic profile of drunk-driving offender in the United States--must be extended to account explicitly for gender and ethnic differences. Research thus far has identified and measured relevant client characteristics, but much less effort has been given to the identification and measurement of clinically relevant dimensions of intervention. 58 references