COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PROCESSES THAT AFFECT SUBSTANCE-DEPENDENT SCHIZOPHRENIC AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALES' COMPLETION OF INPATIENT TREATMENT.
Contributors: University of California, Los Angeles.
Published: 1996
Number of pages: 240
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Psychology, Clinical.; Health Sciences, Mental Health.; Black Studies.
Description: Cognitive-behavioral factors that affect inpatient treatment completion were identified and described in a sample of 139 male veterans, using the Relapse Prevention Model (Marlatt & Gordon, 1985) as the theoretical framework. The majority of the participants were African-American, had completed at least a high school education, averaged 39 years of age, and were homeless, although they averaged a net pension of $646 per month. All patients had a history of severe mental illness and long-term dependence on cocaine, with a mean of nine previous psychiatric hospitalizations. More than half did not complete inpatient treatment, with a peak non-completion occurring during the first three-day interval at the beginning of the month, shorty after the arrival of their disability payment. Among noncompleters, more thought it would be difficult to complete treatment, although their goal was for total abstinence. Cocaine relapse was found more among noncompleters who did not have a case manager assigned. Among those patients who relapsed while in the hospital, more gave self-medication of schizophrenic symptoms as an explanation for cocaine use. Non-completers were found to have more positive symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly thought disorganization and tension clusters. Recommendations were provided in terms of significance of findings for the improvement of nursing care in serving this challenging psychiatric population.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-06, Section: B, page: 3659.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, 1996.

School code: 0031.