200166 Project BRITE: The effect of positive behavioral reinforcement on dynamic measures of psychosocial functioning among male and female inmates in prison-based drug treatment

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: 5:42 PM

William M. Burdon, PhD , Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Jef St. De Lore, MPH , Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behvaior, Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California Los Angeles, Seattle, WA
Michael L. Prendergast, PhD , Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Umme Warda, MS , Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
The use of behavioral reinforcement for increasing desired behaviors has a long tradition of application in the behavioral literature and, more specifically, in alcohol and drug treatment. However, the use of behavioral reinforcement within the context of treating substance-abusing offenders has received virtually no attention. The primary aim of Project BRITE (Behavioral Reinforcement to Increase Treatment Engagement) was to assess the impact of a positive behavioral reinforcement intervention on participation in prison-based drug treatment, psychosocial functioning over the course of treatment, participation in community-based treatment following release from prison, post-incarceration illicit drug use, and return-to-custody rates. Male and female inmates participating in 12-week prison-based Intensive Outpatient (IOP) drug treatment were randomly assigned to receive the standard IOP treatment curriculum (Standard Treatment; ST) or to receive the standard IOP treatment curriculum and positive behavioral reinforcement for attending group meetings and engaging in activities and behaviors that were treatment-related and consistent with promoting their recovery from substance abuse/dependence (Behavioral Reinforcement; BR). This paper presents preliminary findings only as they relate to the impact of the intervention on various dynamic measures of psychosocial functioning over the course of participation in treatment. Analyses employed repeated measures ANOVA, independent t-tests, and chi-square tests. Preliminary analyses indicate that, while treatment did have a positive effect on psychosocial functioning among all inmates enrolled in treatment, there was no interaction effect of treatment combined with the intervention. Possible explanations for these preliminary findings will be explored and discussed.

Learning Objectives:
Assess the impact of a positive behavioral reinforcement intervention on dynamic measures of psychosocial functioning among inmates participating in prison-based drug treatment.

Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Prison

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Principal Investigator of the NIDA grant that funded this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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