Personality, Mental Health Functioning, and Substance Abuse Treatment Outcomes among Veterans with a History of Criminal Justice Involvement

• In Event: Mental Illness, Treatment Utilization, and Treatment Outcomes Among Justice-Involved Veterans

Abstract

Prior research has identified distinct personality subtypes among individuals with a history of criminal justice involvement. Among 196 Veterans with a history justice involvement who were admitted to residential substance abuse treatment at the Palo Alto VA, we identified personality-based subtypes and examined differences in mental health functioning and treatment outcomes. A cluster analysis of scale scores from an omnibus measure of personality (Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire; MPQ) revealed three clusters: Cluster 1 (n=76; 38.8%) scored in the average range on most MPQ scales; Cluster 2 (n=37; 18.9%) scored high on social dominance, alienation, and aggression scales, and low on self-control and fear scales; Cluster 3 (n=83; 42.3%) scored low on scales of well-being and social closeness, and high on stress reactivity. At treatment entry, Cluster 3 scored highest on indices of depression, anxiety, and global distress, whereas Cluster 2 scored highest on an index of paranoid thinking. At treatment discharge, Cluster 2 reported more stressful relationships with other residents and lower program alliance, and exhibited trends towards a shorter length of stay and lower likelihood of program completion. Findings highlight how personality data may elucidate the distinct psychiatric needs and treatment prognosis for veterans with a history of justice involvement.

Authors

• Dan M. Blonigen, Department of Veterans Affairs

• Leena Bui, Department of Veterans Affairs

• Jessica Y. Britt, Palo Alto University