TY - JOUR
T1 - People's reasons for wanting to complete probation
T2 - Use and predictive validity in an e-health intervention
AU - Spohr, Stephanie A.
AU - Taxman, Faye S.
AU - Walters, Scott T.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2017/4/1
Y1 - 2017/4/1
N2 - The criminal justice system tends to emphasize external contingencies (e.g., fees, jail time) to motivate offender compliance. However, people's reasons for desistance vary considerably. This study evaluated the acceptability, utility, and predictive validity of questions that ask about people's reasons for wanting to successfully complete probation. Substance-using probationers (N = 113) participated in a web-based computer intervention that targeted substance use and treatment initiation. Questions around seven dimensions of reasons for completing probation were developed to provide tailored feedback during the web-based program. A principle components factor analysis found that survey items loaded onto two distinct factors. Factor one, “Tangible Loss” focused on external and present-focused reasons. Factor two, “Better Life” focused on internal and future-focused reasons. There was a significant negative association between Better Life scores and days of substance use after two months (β = −0.31, SE = 0.13, p < 0.05). There was a significant positive association with Better Life scores and days of treatment attendance (β = 1.46, SE = 0.26, p < 0.001). Tangible Loss scores were no associated with substance use and treatment attendance. These findings may help to create more effective motivational tracks in e-health interventions, and may complement traditional motivation measures with an explicit focus on people's stated reasons for wanting to complete probation.
AB - The criminal justice system tends to emphasize external contingencies (e.g., fees, jail time) to motivate offender compliance. However, people's reasons for desistance vary considerably. This study evaluated the acceptability, utility, and predictive validity of questions that ask about people's reasons for wanting to successfully complete probation. Substance-using probationers (N = 113) participated in a web-based computer intervention that targeted substance use and treatment initiation. Questions around seven dimensions of reasons for completing probation were developed to provide tailored feedback during the web-based program. A principle components factor analysis found that survey items loaded onto two distinct factors. Factor one, “Tangible Loss” focused on external and present-focused reasons. Factor two, “Better Life” focused on internal and future-focused reasons. There was a significant negative association between Better Life scores and days of substance use after two months (β = −0.31, SE = 0.13, p < 0.05). There was a significant positive association with Better Life scores and days of treatment attendance (β = 1.46, SE = 0.26, p < 0.001). Tangible Loss scores were no associated with substance use and treatment attendance. These findings may help to create more effective motivational tracks in e-health interventions, and may complement traditional motivation measures with an explicit focus on people's stated reasons for wanting to complete probation.
KW - Behavior change
KW - Criminal justice
KW - Factor analysis
KW - Substance abuse
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85009112265&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2017.01.001
DO - 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2017.01.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 28088674
AN - SCOPUS:85009112265
SN - 0149-7189
VL - 61
SP - 144
EP - 149
JO - Evaluation and Program Planning
JF - Evaluation and Program Planning
ER -