Client Predictors of Treatment Retention and Completion in a Program for Homeless Veterans

Abstract

This study assessed the value of a specific set of client variables in predicting treatment retention and completion of a rehabilitation program for homeless veterans. Participants were 596 (22 female) military veterans admitted to the Palo Alto, California Veterans Administration domicilary program between 1992 and 1995. Information was collected on a number of demographic and background characteristics previously used to predict treatment retention and outcomes. Results indicated that clients who were younger, female, and currently diagnosed with a depressive disorder, showed the highest rates of treatment retention and completion, whereas a current personality disorder diagnosis or history of psychiatric treatment was related to poorer rates of retention and completion. These results may be informative for identifying ways to modify this and other similar treatments to apply to a larger client population. The study's limitations were noted.

Keywords:

• client variables
• homeless
• treatment retention

Notes

The journal's style utilizes the category substance abuse as a diagnostic category. Substances are used or misused; living organisms are and can be abused. Editor's note.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alicia N. Justus

Alicia N. Justus, Ph.D., is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies. Her clinical and research interests include addictions treatment in underserved (e.g., homeless or criminally involved) populations and gender differences in the development and successful cessation of substance use.

Thomas A. Burling

Thomas A. Burling, Ph.D., is a research scientist at the American Institutes of Research, Palo Alto, California. His research interests include rehabilitation of homeless substance users, smoking cessation, and development of computer applications for use in mental health assessment and intervention.

Kenneth R. Weingardt

Kenneth R. Weingardt, Ph.D., is a research scientist at the Center for Healthcare Evaluation, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System. His research interests include instructional design and technology in the dissemination and implementation of empirically supported interventions, use of web-based applications to facilitate patient self-monitoring and disease management, and continuous recovery monitoring for substance user treatment program evaluation.