title: The reliability of biographical information obtained from court-stipulated clients newly admitted to treatment.
abstract: An exhaustive test-retest reliability study was made of the intake interview used by Abraxas' residential drug program. The study is notable in that (1) 143 wide-ranging questionnaire variables were examined, (2) all tested clients were under court pressure, and (3) the second interview was given after an average of 8 months in treatment. Reliability coefficients for 50% of the 143 items were found to be greater than or equal to .70, 83 were greater than or equal to .50, and the lowest coefficient recorded was .24. Although the clients tended to suppress some sensitive material in the first interview, it was concluded that considerable self-reported information can be obtained from court-stipulated clients within a few days after admission.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007603:Jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012650:Self Disclosure; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires