The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

3324.0: Monday, November 17, 2003 - Board 8

Abstract #55495

Quality of life among drug users in Long Beach, CA

Grace L. Reynolds, DPA(c), Dennis G. Fisher, PhD, Jennifer A. Klahn, MA, and Michele M. Wood, MS. Center for Behavioral Research & Services, California State University, Long Beach, 1090 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90813, 562-495-2330, greynol2@csulb.edu

Background: The Quality of Well-Being Scale (QWB) was developed to use with diverse patient and general population samples. This study investigated its use with a sample of out-of-treatment drug users. Methods: The QWB was administered to 75 out-of-treatment drug users. QWB scores were calculated using software specifically for scoring the instrument provided by the QWB developers. A linear regression model was developed using the QWB score as the dependent variable and items from the Risk Behavior Assessment as independent variables. Results: The sample consisted of 18 women and 57 men, the majority of whom were (73/75) were crack cocaine smokers. The mean QWB score was .703 (SD=.12, range .51 to 1.0). The final multivariate regression model included six variables: number of days used other opiates (last 30 days), ever in outpatient drug free treatment, income in the past 30 days from welfare, number of times gave sex for drugs in the past 30 days, ever being in prison/jail drug treatment, and the number of days used amphetamines (last 30 days). This model accounted for 89 percent of the variance in QWB scores and was highly significant (F (6,9)=8.65, p=.0025). Conclusions: Different modalities of drug treatment appear to influence QWB scores in different ways. Previous outpatient drug free treatment was negatively associated with QWB score, while previous prison/jail drug treatment was positively associated with QWB score.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Quality of Life, Drug Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Addiction Assesment and the Treatment of Drug Users Poster Session

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA