Attrition in drug court research: Examining participant characteristics and recommendations for follow-up.
Drug court research is often challenged by study attrition. In this study, researchers attempted to predict study completion using variables traditionally associated with treatment attrition. Findings showed that participants who reported a need for additional help to resolve legal problems and who reported accessing outpatient treatments were more likely to complete the study at the three-month follow-up. The study also demonstrated a relationship between trauma-related symptoms and study attrition. Although sample size was a limitation with these pilot data, researchers are urged to examine attrition and increase efforts to engage drug court enrollees in research studies, especially those with trauma-related symptoms.
The Ohio State University, School of Social Work. 1947 College Rd. Columbus, OH 43210. Ph: 614-292-6288. linley.8@buckeyemail.osu.edu.
Natasha S
NS
Mendoza
The Ohio State University, School of Social Work. 1947 College Rd. Columbus, OH 43210. Ph: 614-292-6288. linley.8@buckeyemail.osu.edu.
Jessica V
JV
Linley
Buffalo Center for Social Research, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. 685 Baldy Hall. Buffalo, NY 14260. Ph: 716-645-3381. thn@buffalo.edu.
Thomas H
TH
Nochajski
Amherst Town Drug Court, 400 John James Audubon Pkwy. Amherst, NY 14228. Ph: 716-689-4249. judgefarrell@gmail.com.
Mark G
MG
Farrell
Drug court; attrition research; forensic social work; problem-solving court; trauma