Treatment Motivation Among African American Drug-Using Arrestees

The purpose of this study was to identify correlates of treatment motivation among African American drug users. Working from Andersen's (1968) model of health behavior, the authors examined demographic factors, drug-problem severity indicators, social resources, and treatment perceptions as potential correlates. Their sample was 122 African American drug-using arrestees with no prior experience in drug-use treatment. Findings from a multivariate regression analysis suggested that recognition of drug-related interpersonal problems was a key determinant of treatment motivation in this sample. Other relevant factors included legal income, conventional moral beliefs, perceived treatment benefit, and social stigma associated with treatment. In addition, a test for interaction found that treatment motivation was highest among African American drug users who scored high on both drug problem recognition and endorsement of Africentric values. The authors cite implications of these findings for treatment motivation and treatment entry among African American drug users.