Attrition in drug court research: Examining participant characteristics and recommendations for follow-up

• Published in: Journal of forensic social work Vol. 3; no. 1; p. 56
• Main Authors: Mendoza, Natasha S, Linley, Jessica V, Nochajski, Thomas H, Farrell, Mark G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States University of Oklahoma Libraries 01.01.2013
• Subjects: trauma; forensic social work; Drug court; problem-solving court; attrition research
• ISSN: 1936-928X; 1936-9298
• DOI: 10.1080/1936928X.2013.837418

Drug court research is often challenged by study attrition. In this study, researchers attempted to predict study completion using variables traditionally associated with treatment attrition. Findings showed that participants who reported a need for additional help to resolve legal problems and who reported accessing outpatient treatments were more likely to complete the study at the three-month follow-up. The study also demonstrated a relationship between trauma-related symptoms and study attrition. Although sample size was a limitation with these pilot data, researchers are urged to examine attrition and increase efforts to engage drug court enrollees in research studies, especially those with trauma-related symptoms.