A program evaluation study of a nursing home operated as a modified therapeutic community for chemically dependent persons with AIDS - Project Samaritan AIDS Services, Inc.'s Residential Health Care Facility, Highbridge Section, Bronx, NY

An interagency evaluation of the treatment effectiveness of a speciality nu rsing home (NH) run as a therapeutic community (TC) for residents diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and substance abuse/depende nce (SA/D)was conducted. A total of 79 chemically dependent men and women w ith AIDS were: (a) administered the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS: Roi d & Fitts, 1991) at initial testing (T-1) and 8 months after their initial testing (T-2); and (b) assessed on specific physical health indicators (i.e ., weight, CD-4 count, and viral load) and other treatment outcomes (e.g., abstinence) over the same two time periods. The TSCS results identified a v alid and invalid TSCS test group and further distinguished among three subg roups of invalid responders. Significant improvements were observed from T- 1 testing to T-2 testing on the TSCS, on the physical health indicators, an d on other treatment outcomes. The need for additional and continued mental health services for this population was noted. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science I nc. All rights reserved.