Modified therapeutic community for co-occurring disorders: single investigator meta analysis.
This paper presents the results of a meta-analysis for a single investigator examining the effectiveness of the modified therapeutic community (MTC) for clients with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders (COD). The flexibility and utility of meta-analytic tools are described, although their application in this context is atypical. The analysis includes 4 comparisons from 3 studies (retrieved N = 569) for various groups of clients with COD (homeless persons, offenders, and outpatients) in substance abuse treatment, comparing clients assigned either to an MTC or a control condition of standard services. An additional study is included in a series of sensitivity tests. The overall findings increase the research base of support for the MTC program for clients with COD, as results of the meta-analysis indicate significant MTC treatment effects for 5 of the 6 outcome domains across the 4 comparisons. Limitations of the approach are discussed. Independent replications, clinical trials, multiple outcome domains, and additional meta-analyses should be emphasized in future research. Given the need for research-based approaches, program and policy planners should consider the MTC when designing programs for co-occurring disorders.
Sacks
Stanley
S
National Development & Research Institutes, Inc. (NDRI), New York, New York 10010, USA. sacks@ndri.org
McKendrick
Karen
K
Sacks
JoAnn Y
JY
Cleland
Charles M
CM
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D013808:Therapeutic Community