Meeting health and psychological needs of women in drug treatment court

Abstract

We explored healthcare-related experiences of women drug court participants through combining context from the Socio-Ecological Model with motivation needs for health behavior as indicated by self-determination theory. Five focus groups with 8 women drug court participants, 8 court staff, and 9 community service providers were examined using qualitative framework analysis. Themes emerged across the Socio-Ecological Model and were cross-mapped with self-determination theory-defined motivation needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence. Socio-Ecological levels contained experiences either supporting or eroding women’s motivation needs: 1) intrapersonal challenges participants termed an “evil cycle” of relapse, recidivism, trauma, and life challenges; 2) interpersonal context of parenting and stigma involving features of this “evil cycle”; 3) institutions with logistical barriers to legal and medical assistance; 4) community resources inadequate to support living and employment needs. Self-determination theory helps explain motivation required to address the women’s healthcare needs and multiple demands at all levels of the Socio-Ecological Model.

Factors that influence mother–child reunification for mothers with a history of substance use: A systematic review of the evidence to inform policy and practice in Australia

“…While this review found that women who received more and better-matched services had better reunification rates, intrinsic motivational factors also play an integral role (Blakey, 2012). Programs to facilitate care for mothers with a SUD need to take this into consideration and include programs that deliver comprehensive care with a holistic approach that address multiple layers including motivational needs for health behavior change (Morse et al, 2014). Additionally, treatment satisfaction and retention may increase if social determinants of health such as social networks and support, education, employment and economic issues are addressed whilst in treatment (Greenfield et al, 2007).…”

Psychological Distress Among Youth Probationers: Using Social Determinants of Health to Assess Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

“…Court ordered treatment can move an individual from coercive control to intrinsic motivation (Kothari, Butkiewicz, Williams, Jacobson, Morse, & Cerulli, 2014; Morse, Cerulli, Bedell et al ., 2014). It is possible that probation can become that legal leverage youth need to connect to care and begin seeing their behavior through a different lens (Lamberti et al ., 2014).…”

What Do Clients Achieve in Drug/DUI Court? Examining Intended and Unintended Outcomes

“…Of the studies that exist, two (Mackinem and Higgins 2007;Wolf and Colyer 2001) utilized field observations to study court hearing interactions and five others (Farole and Cissner 2005;Francis and Abel 2014;Goldkamp, White, and Robinson 2001b;Morse et al 2014;Narag, Maxwell, and Lee 2013) used focus groups and interviews to explore clients and court personnel's perceptions and opinions about existing drug programs. While these few exceptions exist, it is surprising that drug/DUI court clients' stories and experiences are largely left out and remain unexamined.…”