Patient histories, retention, and outcome models for younger and older adults in DATOS

Structural equation modeling with multiple groups was used to examine relat ionships among pretreatment patient characteristics, treatment retention, a nd treatment outcomes among younger and older adults in the Drug Abuse Trea tment Outcome Studies. Separate models were tested for 551 patients treated in long-term residential (LTR) programs and 571 patients treated in outpat ient drug-free (ODF) programs. There was a stronger positive relationship b etween treatment retention and abstinence at follow-up for younger adults i n both treatment modalities. Prior treatment history had a negative effect on self-efficacy to resist drug use for older adults in LTR. Negative refer ence group influence was reduced for all groups following treatment, howeve r, it was more strongly related to abstinence for younger adults in LTR and for older adults in ODF. Clinical implications of age-related differences in these relationships are discussed. (C) 1999 EIsevier Science Ireland Ltd . All rights reserved.