Specifying a model for decision-making in a population of misdemeanor drug offenders.
Item
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Title
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Specifying a model for decision-making in a population of misdemeanor drug offenders.
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Identifier
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AAI9830724
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identifier
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9830724
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Creator
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Hoffmann, Barbara J.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Charles Winick
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Date
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1998
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Sociology, Criminology and Penology
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Abstract
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This study sought to determine whether an intervention, delivered to first time misdemeanor drug offenders, would result in a decision to attempt to stop using drugs and consider entering a drug or alcohol treatment program. A variety of theoretical models were explored (Rational Choice, Social Learning Theory and elements of Planned Change) and a model for decision-making was developed. This model was then tested to see whether the variables would remain predictive of a decision to seek treatment when they were all entered, simultaneously, into a logistic regression equation. Second, there was a goal to isolate the variables that might be particularly predictive of a decision to seek treatment and introduce these variables, in the form of a checklist, to Criminal Court judges, to help guide the sentencing process for these low level offenders.;The results of this study indicates that: (a) there is a portion of first time misdemeanor drug offenders who are amenable to the idea of resolving their drug-using problems and who will opt for treatment when it is presented to them as a viable option; (b) in this population of low level offenders there is a multiplicity of drugs used and a wide range of years that the individuals have been using drugs; (c) individuals in this population have a range of perceptions regarding their drug or alcohol use; and (d) six variables in particular, drawn from the various theories of change that were employed, are predictive of a decision to seek treatment.;In addition, marginal work was done to develop an index of debilitation from drugs, based on drug of choice, years of use, frequency of use, and feelings of dependency. This index needs to be validated. Second, a brief comparison was made between this population, participants in the Drug Use Forecast study, and respondents to the NIDA Household Survey, on demographics and several drug-using measures.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
