Evaluating START NOW: A Skills-Based Psychotherapy for Inmates of Correctional Systems.

Objective: This study investigated whether higher attendance in a skills-based group therapy program designed for inmates was associated with fewer rule infractions as reflected in the number of disciplinary reports received in a state correctional system.

Methods: Administrative data were provided by the Connecticut Department of Correction and Correctional Managed Health Care at UConn Health, the system's health care organization. This was a retrospective cohort analysis of START NOW program participation events from 2010 through 2013 (N=946).

Time-clustered Deaths and Substance Use Disorder among Young Adults.

This study assesses whether experiencing multiple deaths of loved ones clustered in time increases risk for substance use problems. Using survey data from a community sample of young adults in Miami, Florida (N = 1747), time-clustered deaths were categorized based on the age of the respondent at the time of each death, with less time between deaths representing greater time-clustering. Results indicate that young adults experiencing multiple deaths that are highly time clustered are at increased risk for substance use disorder and alcohol use.

Medicaid policies and practices in US state prison systems.

Medicaid is an important source of health care coverage for prison-involved populations. From 2011 to 2012, we surveyed state prison system (SPS) policies affecting Medicaid enrollment during incarceration and upon release; 42 of 50 SPSs participated. Upon incarceration, Medicaid benefits were suspended in 9 (21.

SES and race-ethnic differences in the stress-buffering effects of coping resources among young adults.

Objectives: This study assesses socioeconomic status (SES) and race-ethnic differences in the extent to which coping resources (social support and self-esteem) buffer the negative impact of chronic stress on depressive symptoms.

Design: We analyze data from a large community-based sample of young adults (ages 18-23) living in Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA (N = 1411).

Results: Study findings indicate that the stress-buffering effects of social support or self-esteem do not vary by SES.

Challenges and solutions for conducting research in correctional settings: the U.S. experience.

Through the mid-1970s, most new drug clinical trials were conducted in America's jails and prisons. Due to the extensive human rights violations acknowledged at that time, laws were enacted that essentially brought corrections-based research to a halt. The Code of Federal Regulations, 45 CFR 46 subpart C, specifies the limitations upon research with correctional populations that are currently in place.

Robbing Peter to pay Paul: did New York State's outpatient commitment program crowd out voluntary service recipients?

Objective: This study examined whether New York State's assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) program disadvantaged voluntary service recipients by directing services toward court-ordered individuals.

Methods: Administrative data from the New York State Office of Mental Health were linked with Medicaid claims from 1999 through 2007 to compare trends in utilization of enhanced outpatient services by involuntary and voluntary service recipients with serious mental illness. Multivariable time series analysis was used to examine the likelihood that voluntary care seekers (N=3,295) either did not initiate or did not receive assertive community treatment or intensive case management during any month as a function of the number of AOT orders in the system.

Continuing medication and hospitalization outcomes after assisted outpatient treatment in New York.

Objective: This study examined whether persons with mental illness who undergo a period of involuntary outpatient commitment continue to receive prescribed medications and avoid psychiatric hospitalization after outpatient commitment ends.

Methods: Data on Medicaid pharmacy fills and inpatient treatment were used to describe patterns of medication possession and hospitalization for persons with mental illness after they received assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) in New York between 1999 and 2007 (N=3,576). Multivariable time-series analysis was used to compare post-AOT periods to pre-AOT periods.

The mental health and psychosocial adjustment of Cuban immigrants in south Florida.

Given documented variation in pre-migration and migration-related experiences, Cuban immigrants in the U.S. who arrived during or subsequent to 1980 may be disadvantaged in mental health and psychosocial adjustment relative to earlier arrivals.