An agency follow-up outcome study of graduates from four inner-city therapeutic community programs

Using its own resources, a follow-up outcome study of 83 out of 119 (70%) g raduates from four therapeutic community programs at two inner-city sites w as conducted using the Tennessee Self Concept Scale:2 (TSCS:2) and the Post -Treatment Follow-Up Survey (PTFUS). The TSCS:2 and the PTFUS were complete d anonymously by the respondent graduates and collected by research staff i ndependently of program administrative staff and clinical staff. On average , the graduates had completed all formal agency required treatment and had been living independently in the community for nearly 12 months at the time of follow-up. Graduates who participated in the study were separated into one of three TSCS:2 profile groupings: Valid TSCS Profile, Invalid Faking G ood (FG), and Invalid Inconsistency, to provide a more meaningful analysis of their outcomes data. All three TSCS:2 groups had favorable outcomes; how ever, to the extent that PTFUS questions were less specific than more speci fic, the Invalid FG group self-reported more positive outcomes. Where the P TFUS questions were very specific and concrete, the Valid TSCS Profile grou p generally had the most favorable outcomes. Implications of these findings are discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.