Reasons for and Attitudes Toward Follow-Up Research Participation Among Adolescents Enrolled in an Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Program

• NCJ Number: 219944
• Journal: Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: 2007 Pages: 45-57
• Author(s): Bryan R. Garner; Lora L. Passetti; Matt G. Orndorff; Susan H. Godley
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 13 pages
• Grant Number(s): DA 01818; KD1TI11894
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse; US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the reasons why 145 adolescents (ages 12-18) who had completed outpatient treatment for substance-use problems chose to participate in followup interviews about the outcome of their treatment.

Abstract

The study found that financial compensation was one of the primary reasons for continued participation in followup outcome interviews. Other reasons given for continued participation in outcome assessment were the fulfillment of a commitment; wanting to help others with substance-use problems; and the perception that the research was credible, important, or useful. An unexpected finding was that only 5 percent of the adolescents said that they continued participation due to pressure from their parents. Another unexpected finding was the relatively high percentage (40 percent) of the adolescents who stated they would have participated in followup interviews even if there had been no financial compensation. Still, financial compensation for research participation is apparently critical for ensuring high followup rates with adolescents. The study sample consisted of the 145 adolescents (out of an original sample of 151) who agreed to participate in a followup outcome evaluation of an outpatient treatment program for alcohol and other drug-use problems. Most met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for cannabis dependence (54 percent), cannabis abuse (30 percent), and/or alcohol abuse (28 percent). The majority were from single-parent families (52 percent) and lived in a home their parents rented or owned (91 percent). Forty-four percent were referred to treatment by the criminal justice system. Participants were asked to complete an interview at intake and then again at followup periods of 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after intake. They were compensated $40.00 for their time and transportation to each research interview. They could also earn an additional $10.00 for completing the interview within 1 week of their assigned interview date. 3 tables and 34 references