Marie Cassar
Associate Professor of Psychology Appointed to SVSU in 2004
Ph.D. Wayne State University
M.A. Wayne State University
B.A. University of Detroit
POSTER SESSION
Adam A. Rajoulh (SVSU student), Andrew A. Swihart, and Marie T. Cassar (both SVSU). "Predictors of Treatment Adherence at Outpatient Mental Health/Substance Abuse Centers." Annual convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, Illinois, 23 May 2008.
Predictors of outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment adherence in suburban and rural Midwestern settings were identified. Potential predictor variables were extracted from client charts (n = 354) from three different clinic locations. Four indicators of treatment adherence were utilized: compliance with medication, abstinence from substance abuse for substance abuse clients, completion of all recommended treatment, and percentage of appointments attended. Variables associated with highest adherence were older age; court-ordered, commercially insured and self-referred clients; low medication complexity and no or mild side effects; and diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Disability income, previous psychiatric hospitalization, Medicaid insurance, referral by relative, chronic pain, bipolar and comorbid disorders were predictive of least adherence. These results may assist in identifying clients in need of interventions to improve adherence.