title: Retention in substance dependence treatment: the relevance of in-treatment factors.
abstract: In addition to "fixed" patient demographic and background variables, treatment process constructs play an important role in the prediction of treatment retention in substance dependence treatment. The objective of this paper is to analyze the predictive role of repeated measures of treatment readiness and behavioral intention, and of patients' perception of the therapeutic alliance, while controlling for fixed patient-oriented variables. Ninety-three patients, both alcohol and drug dependents, enrolled in this study, which was conducted in an inpatient treatment setting. Patients completed questionnaires shortly after admission (t=0) and approximately 2 weeks later (t=1). Using these measures, 35% of variance of a length of stay in treatment of up to 30 days could be explained. Fixed patient-oriented variables accounted for 21% of variance. Of the cognitive factors, helping alliance was the most important, accounting for an additional 8% of variance. The implications of these results are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Julius Center for General Practice and Patient-Oriented Research, D01.335, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. g.h.deweert@jc.azu.nl
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: De Weert-Van Oene
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Schippers
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: De Jong
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Schrijvers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*