Personality Differences and Perceptions of the Treatment Milieu among Veterans with a Criminal History

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Positive perceptions of a treatment milieu (e.g., residential program) have been linked to more treatment engagement and better outcomes in prior research. Few studies have examined how differences in patients’ personalities impact their perceptions of a treatment milieu. We investigated this issue in 196 Veterans with a history of criminal justice involvement who were admitted to VA residential substance abuse treatment. Scores on the primary scales of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (administered at treatment intake) yielded three personality typology clusters. We tested for differences across these clusters on patients’ perceptions of the treatment milieu (Instillation of Hope, Secure Emotional Expression, Awareness of Relational Impact, and Perceived Support) measured 1-month after treatment entry and at treatment discharge. Cluster 1 (“well adjusted”) was significantly higher than Cluster 2 (“antisocial”) in instillation of hope (p=.001), secure emotional expression (p=.004), and perceived support (p=.029); and Cluster 1 was higher than Cluster 3 (“depressed”) on awareness of relational impact (p=.039). The findings suggest that personality differences may be associated with differences in treatment perceptions among criminally-involved Veterans in residential substance abuse treatment programs.

Authors

• Jessica Y. Britt, Palo Alto University

• Leena Bui, Department of Veterans Affairs

• Dan M. Blonigen, Department of Veterans Affairs