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Bowdring MA, Macia KS, Shaffer PM, Smelson D, Blonigen DM. Criminogenic Needs and Legal Problem Severity Among Legal System Involved Veterans. Mil Med 2024; 189:e1544-e1551. [PMID: 38140960 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many veterans seeking behavioral health services have history of criminal-legal involvement. Research on criminogenic needs of legal system involved veterans is burgeoning. However, most research has relied on cross-sectional examinations and the vast majority of prior work has focused assessment on just one criminogenic need per study. METHODS The present study evaluated seven key criminogenic needs of legal system involved veterans (N = 341) enrolled in one of three U.S. Veterans Health Administration residential behavioral health treatment programs. Criminogenic needs and legal problem severity were assessed at baseline, and at 6 months and 12 months post-baseline. Directionality of associations between participants' criminogenic needs and legal problem severity was examined using latent change score models. RESULTS Results revealed having more antisocial associates at a previous timepoint was associated with greater subsequent improvements in legal problem severity ($\beta $=-0.01, P < 0.02) and greater improvements in legal problem severity predicted greater subsequent improvements in alcohol problem severity ($\beta $=0.13, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS In one of the most comprehensive single-study assessments of criminogenic needs among a sample of legal system involved veterans, results highlight links between antisocial associates and alcohol problem severity with legal problem severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly A Bowdring
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kathryn S Macia
- National Center for PTSD Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Paige M Shaffer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA 01730, USA
| | - David Smelson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA 01730, USA
| | - Daniel M Blonigen
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- HSR&D Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
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Timko C, Macia K, Lewis M, Lor MC, Blonigen D, Jannausch M, Ilgen M. Medical-surgical patients with untreated hazardous drinking: Randomized controlled trial of the DO-MoST intervention to improve health outcomes over 12-month follow-up. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 258:111259. [PMID: 38503244 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION High prevalence and harmful consequences of hazardous drinking among medical-surgical patients underscore the importance of intervening with drinking to improve patients' health. This study evaluated a novel intervention, "Drinking Options - Motivate, Shared Decisions, Telemonitor" (DO-MoST). METHODS In a randomized design, 155 medical-surgical patients with untreated hazardous drinking were assigned to enhanced usual care or DO-MoST, and followed 3, 6, and 12 months later. We conducted intent-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. RESULTS For the primary outcome, percent days of alcohol abstinence in the past 30 days, intent-to-treat analyses did not find superior effectiveness of DO-MoST. However, per-protocol analyses found abstinence increased between 3 and 12 months among participants assigned to DO-MoST who engaged with the intervention (n=46). Among DO-MoST-assigned participants who did not engage (n=27), abstinence stayed stable during follow-up. Group comparisons showed an advantage on abstinence for Engaged compared to Non-Engaged participants on change over time. Intent-to-treat analyses found that DO-MoST was superior to usual care on the secondary outcome of physical health at 12 months; per-protocol analyses found that Engaged DO-MoST-assignees had better physical health at 12 months than Non-Engaged DO-MoST-assignees. DO-MoST-assignees had lower odds of receiving substance use care during follow-up than usual care-assignees. DISCUSSION Patients engaged in DO-MoST showed a greater degree of abstinence and better physical health relative to the non-engaged or usual care group. DO-MoST may be a source of alcohol help in itself rather than only a linkage intervention. Work is needed to increase DO-MoST engagement among medical-surgical patients with untreated hazardous drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Timko
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Kathryn Macia
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; National Center for PTSD Dissemination & Training Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA 94304, USA
| | - Mandy Lewis
- Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR), VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2800 Plymouth Road, Building 16, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan School of Medicine, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Mai Chee Lor
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Daniel Blonigen
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Mary Jannausch
- Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR), VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2800 Plymouth Road, Building 16, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan School of Medicine, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Mark Ilgen
- Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR), VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2800 Plymouth Road, Building 16, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan School of Medicine, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Blonigen DM, Macia KS, Cucciare MA, Smelson D. For whom are treatments for criminal recidivism effective? Moderator effects from a randomized controlled trial of justice-involved veterans. J Consult Clin Psychol 2024; 92:118-128. [PMID: 38236248 PMCID: PMC10798217 DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In a recent trial, moral reconation therapy (MRT)-a cognitive-behavioral intervention for criminal recidivism-was not more effective than usual care (UC) for veterans in behavioral health treatment. To determine for whom treatments of recidivism are most effective, we tested if recency of criminal history or psychopathic traits moderated MRT's effects on outcomes. METHOD In a multisite trial, 341 veterans (95.3% male; 57.8% White/Non-Hispanic) with a criminal history who were admitted to behavioral health treatment programs were randomly assigned to UC or UC + MRT and followed at 6- and 12-months. Incarceration (yes/no) or criminal conviction (yes/no) in the year prior to enrollment and psychopathic traits at baseline (median split) were prespecified as moderators of treatment effects on primary (criminal thinking, criminal associations) and secondary outcomes (legal, employment, and family/social problems; substance use problems and days of use). RESULTS Among veterans incarcerated in the year prior to enrollment, MRT (vs. UC) was associated with greater reductions in criminal associations (6 months) and days drinking or using drugs (12 months). Among those convicted in the year prior to enrollment, MRT (vs. UC) was associated with greater reductions in employment problems (12 months) and days drinking or using drugs at each follow-up. For those high in psychopathic traits, MRT (vs. UC) was associated with greater reductions in days drinking or using drugs at each follow-up. CONCLUSIONS For veterans in behavioral health treatment with recent criminal histories and high in psychopathic traits, MRT may be effective for reducing risk for criminal recidivism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M. Blonigen
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | - Kathryn S. Macia
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System
| | - Michael A. Cucciare
- Center for Mental Healthcare & Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas VA Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
| | - David Smelson
- Center for Health Care Organization & Implementation Research, Bedford VA Medical Center
- University of Massachusetts Medical School
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Blonigen DM, Shaffer PM, Baldwin N, Smelson D. Disentangling the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder, criminogenic risk, and criminal history among veterans. LAW AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2023; 47:579-590. [PMID: 37816136 PMCID: PMC10575688 DOI: 10.1037/lhb0000542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is positively associated with involvement in the criminal justice system among veterans. Research that examines whether this association is confounded by risk factors ("criminogenic needs") from the risk-need-responsivity model of correctional rehabilitation can inform risk management with this population. HYPOTHESES We hypothesized that (a) veterans with probable PTSD would score higher on all criminogenic needs than veterans without PTSD and (b) probable PTSD would be associated with criminal history but not after accounting for criminogenic needs. METHOD We conducted secondary analyses of data from 341 veterans (95.3% male; 57.8% White/non-Hispanic/Latinx; Mage = 46.2 years) with a history of criminal justice system involvement who were admitted to mental health residential treatment. At treatment entry, participants completed interviews to assess criminal history, risk-need-responsivity-based criminogenic needs, and PTSD symptom severity. Cross-sectional analyses tested for differences between participants with and without probable PTSD on criminogenic needs and criminal history, and a multiple regression model examined the unique contributions of probable PTSD and criminogenic needs on criminal history. RESULTS The majority of the sample (74%, n = 251) met probable criteria for PTSD. Compared with veterans without PTSD, those with probable PTSD scored significantly higher on criminogenic needs of antisocial personality patterns, antisocial cognitions, antisocial associates, substance use, and family/marital dysfunction but did not differ on multiple indices of criminal history (Cohen's ds = 0.60-0.86). In the regression model, higher age (β = 0.52, p < .001) and higher scores on measures of antisocial personality patterns (β = 0.19, p = .04) and antisocial cognitions (β = 0.22, p = .02) were significantly associated with higher scores on a criminal history index. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that veterans with probable PTSD may score higher on a number of criminogenic needs that are known to be drivers of recidivism. An approach that integrates trauma-informed and risk-need-responsivity principles to address veterans' dynamic criminogenic and clinical needs may be critical to risk management in this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M. Blonigen
- Health Services Research & Development Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | - Paige M. Shaffer
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
- Health Services Research & Development Center for Health Care Organization and Implementation Research
| | | | - David Smelson
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
- Health Services Research & Development Center for Health Care Organization and Implementation Research
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Edwards ER, Epshteyn G, Snyder S, Gorman D, Coolidge B, Marcano E, Tsai J, Goodman M. Dialectical behavior therapy for justice-involved veterans: Changes in treatment targets in a small, pre-post design clinical trial. Psychol Serv 2023; 20:98-107. [PMID: 37053393 PMCID: PMC10570393 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
[Correction Notice: An Erratum for this article was reported online in Psychological Services on Jul 13 2023 (see record 2023-89801-001). In the article, the title was incorrect and should have been "Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Justice-Involved Veterans: Changes in Treatment Targets in a Small, Pre-Post Design Clinical Trial." This error did not impact the results or conclusions. All versions of this article have been corrected.] Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Justice-Involved Veterans (DBT-J; Edwards, Dichiara, Epshteyn, et al., 2022) was recently developed as an integrative psychotherapy + case management intervention to address the range of complex criminogenic, mental health, substance use, and case management needs commonly faced by justice-involved veterans. Research to date suggests delivery of DBT-J to be both acceptable and feasible (Edwards, Dichiara, Epshteyn, et al., 2022). However, data on therapeutic change experienced by DBT-J participants has been limited. The present study represents an initial investigation into longitudinal changes in criminogenic risk, psychological distress, substance use, case management needs, and quality of life experienced by 20 justice-involved veterans across their course of DBT-J participation. Results reflected notable improvements across treatment targets from pre- to posttreatment; these gains were largely maintained at 1-month follow-up. Such findings attest to the potential utility of DBT-J and to the need for continued research into the efficacy of this intervention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Edwards
- VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC)
| | | | - Shayne Snyder
- VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC)
| | - Daniel Gorman
- VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC)
| | | | - Eddie Marcano
- Veterans Justice Outreach Program, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | - Jack Tsai
- National Center for Homelessness Among Veterans, United States Department of Veterans Affairs
| | - Marianne Goodman
- VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC)
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