Substance abusing, court-involved mothers (Investigators: Dr. Carol Massat, Dr. Donna Petras, Dr. Elizabeth Essex).

Summary: Substance abuse has been recognized as the strongest predictor of parenting difficulties and of the involvement of women in the criminal justice system This pilot study proposed to interview drug-abusing, court-involved mothers, their significant others and the fathers of their children to test the relationships among social isolation, characteristics of court mandated services, domestic violence, and child disability and chronic health problems The theoretical framework for the proposed study was based on Belsky and Vondra's model of the determinants of effective parenting. The authors hypothesized that formal interventions, including substance abuse treatment, may serve to reduce the level of substance abuse, break down social isolation and strengthen parenting. [Full Abstract]

"New seed in old soil": How do service linkages facilitate reentry for women's return to community after incarceration? (Investigator: Dr. Patricia O'Brien).

Summary: This pilot study sought to investigate individual and community level variables and how they affect women's individual trajectories of transition from prison to community. The main purpose of this study was to explore the supportive and inhibiting chronological events that interact with patterns of substance use and criminal activities for a sample of up to 15 recently released women incarcerates in the areas of social service drug treatment needs as well as their needs for employment and housing. The study also sought to examine and map the density and proximity of social support and economic opportunities available to women ex-inmates within the North Woodlawn neighborhood. [Full Abstract]

Depression and related variables for kin caregivers of children whose mothers have criminal justice involvement and substance abuse histories (Investigators: Dr. Nathan Linsk, Dr. Sally Mason, Mr. Michael Bass, Dr. Michael Fendrich).

Summary: Using structured and unstructured interview instruments, this study investigated a range of service needs and clinical conditions among 25 African-American caring for the children of related women who were absent owing to criminal justice and substance abuse involvement. The results indicated that depression among the caregivers was relatively common and was exacerbated by co-occurring physical and other emotional problems but was not related to financial need. The full report considers the clinical and service implications of these findings. [Full Abstract].

Administering structured diagnostic interviews to jail detainees in psychiatric treatment: A two-phase pilot study (Investigators: Dr. James Swartz, Dr. Arthur Lurigio).

Summary: This study investigated the feasibility of administering lengthy, structured, diagnostic interviews to men and women in psychiatric treatment at the Cook County Jail. Among the feasibility issues investigated were random sampling in a jail setting, recruitment rates, reducing the possibility of coercion, tolerance for and comprehension of the interview questions and consent process, and a comparison of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders from the interviews with prevalences obtained from medical records abstraction. [Full Abstract]