Readiness to change as a predictor of drug-related behaviors in a sample of rural felony probationers.
OBJECTIVE
Relationships between readiness to change and common drug-related behaviors were explored in a sample (N = 776) of rural probationers in the state of Kentucky.


METHODS
Self-reported data was gathered on measures of readiness to change, frequency of marijuana use, possession of drugs/related paraphernalia, and driving while under the influence of drugs/alcohol at time periods before and after arrest.


RESULTS
Independent of the influence of demographic characteristics such as age, gender, race, and treatment history, increases in readiness to change scores were accompanied by reductions in all three drug-related behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
Readiness to change has important implications for treatment involving rural probationers.
Duvall
Jamieson L
JL
Department of Behavioral Science and Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, USA. jlduva2@uky.edu
Oser
Carrie B
CB
Leukefeld
Carl G
CG
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology; D003415:Crime; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation