- Belgium
Veerle Soyez
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Clinical and Life Span Psychology, Faculty Member
Research Interests:
Background: Research indicates that among the risks associated with young people’s alcohol and illicit drug use are sexual risks. However, insights into co-occurrence of substance use and sexual risks in adolescent samples and possible... more
Background: Research indicates that among the risks associated with young people’s alcohol and illicit drug use are sexual risks. However, insights into co-occurrence of substance use and sexual risks in adolescent samples and possible differences across countries are limited. Methods: A sample of 1449 adolescents from Belgium, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Germany screened positive for risky alcohol/illicit drug use in a web-based intervention against alcohol and illicit drug use. They also reported incidents of sex while being drunk and/or high on drugs, condomless sex on these occasions, and sexualized touching and sexual victimization while being drunk or high on drugs. Results: In the sample, 21.5% of the participants reported sexualized touching, 9.9% being victim to sexual assault, and 49.8% having had sex while being drunk and/or high on drugs; of the latter, 48.3% had condomless sex. Reports on having had sex while being drunk and/or high on drugs were associated with hig...
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Psychology and Acco
This article draws attention to the relevance of young care leavers' exercise of agency as one possible key ingredient in overcoming barriers to engagement in work. Several previous studies show difficulties in entering adult life,... more
This article draws attention to the relevance of young care leavers' exercise of agency as one possible key ingredient in overcoming barriers to engagement in work. Several previous studies show difficulties in entering adult life, both in relation to higher and further education as well as entrance into work life. The article analyses interviews with young adults from six countries, who have spent at least part of their childhood and youth in out‐of‐home care and the results indicate that the care leavers have the ability to make plans and set up goals for the future that they in many cases are able to achieve or at least are striving for over time. In many instances, they show a strong motivation, for example, to educate themselves pursuing their goals. To support this transition of young care leavers, it is important to listen to ‘successful’ cases such as the ones presented.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
There is empirical evidence that treatment motivation and readiness are closely linked to retention. Several instruments have been developed to measure these concepts; such instruments can reliably assess the stages of motivation and... more
There is empirical evidence that treatment motivation and readiness are closely linked to retention. Several instruments have been developed to measure these concepts; such instruments can reliably assess the stages of motivation and readiness, and predict treatment retention and outcome. However, limited efforts have been undertaken in Europe to translate those instruments and to determine their reliability and validity. In this study, the psychometric properties of a Dutch translation of the Circumstances, Motivation, Readiness, and Suitability (CMRS) scales by De Leon and Jainchill and the shortened CMR Intake Version are illustrated in a Flemish sample of therapeutic community residents (n = 207). Exploratory factor analyses confirm three CMR subscales, although confirmatory factor analysis reveals only a moderate fit for both the CMRS and the CMR. In contrast, the predictive power of the instrument is strong, specifically for 1-year retention. Significant correlations were found between CMRS measures and age, drug severity, legal referral, and social problems. It is concluded that the Dutch translation of the CMRS and the CMR can be employed as a valid indicator of treatment motivation and readiness, although additional research concerning factorial structures is needed.
Research Interests: Health Behavior, Assessment, Forecasting, Evaluation, Adolescent, and 15 moreGroup Psychotherapy, Belgium, Humans, Alcoholism, Female, Confirmatory factor analysis, Cocaine, Drug Addiction, American, Crack Cocaine, Adult, Empirical evidence, Adolescent Behavior, Cohort Studies, and attitude to health
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Ga onmiddellijk naar paginanavigatie. Measuring resources in a Therapeutic Community-based treatment system: A reliability and validity study of the Dutch version of PREDI Short Diagnosis. Please use this identifier to cite or link to... more
Ga onmiddellijk naar paginanavigatie. Measuring resources in a Therapeutic Community-based treatment system: A reliability and validity study of the Dutch version of PREDI Short Diagnosis. Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: Record Details. Record ID, 886132. ...
Research Interests:
Thuisbegeleiding is, in historisch opzicht, een recent gegeven. Desondanks hebben de diensten voor thuisbegeleiding in de loop van de laatste 2 decennia geleidelijk een steeds belangrijker positie verworven binnen het geheel van de zorg... more
Thuisbegeleiding is, in historisch opzicht, een recent gegeven. Desondanks hebben de diensten voor thuisbegeleiding in de loop van de laatste 2 decennia geleidelijk een steeds belangrijker positie verworven binnen het geheel van de zorg voor personen met een beperking. De huidige evoluties in het denken over personen met een beperking (en hun context) en de recente ontwikkelingen en tendensen in het hulpverleningsveld (onder andere de evolutie van aanbodsgestuurd naar vraaggestuurd werken) zorgen er voor dat de ambulante sector, waar de thuisbegeleidingsdiensten deel van uitmaken, voortdurend voor heel wat nieuwe uitdagingen geplaatst worden. In wat volgt belichten we de werking van de diensten voor thuisbegeleiding voor gezinnen met een persoon met een beperking. We staan stil bij een aantal algemene uitgangspunten en werkingsprincipes van thuisbegeleiding, schetsen het historisch en wettelijk kader van de diensten voor thuisbegeleiding en belichten enkele discussiepunten.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
University students are at elevated risk for psychological distress, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to warmly contact our students and investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on... more
University students are at elevated risk for psychological distress, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to warmly contact our students and investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the subjective wellbeing (SWB) and levels of psychological symptoms (such as depressive and anxious feelings) of university students in Belgium. All bachelor and master students of the Vrije Universiteit Brussels (N = 15,475) were invited for a brief structured telephone interview in March, 2021. In total, 7,154 students were assessed by a structured interview, based on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and the Anamnestic Comparative Self-Assessment (ACSA). Compared to a representative sample, students considered their life during the pandemic as less satisfying compared to their life before the pandemic. Overall, all students have suffered from COVID-19 and the measures taken to contain the pandemic. Twenty percent of our sample of 7,154 ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Implementing ASI and other instruments to professionalize treatment across national borders:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Psychology and CBCL
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Humanities and Verslaving
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Onderzoek naar druggebruik bij adolescenten gebeurt vaak in klassieke schoolcontexten, waardoor een belangrijke groep ‘kwetsbare’ jongeren niet of onvoldoende vertegenwoordigd is. In deze paper bespreken we een narratief onderzoek bij 40... more
Onderzoek naar druggebruik bij adolescenten gebeurt vaak in klassieke schoolcontexten, waardoor een belangrijke groep ‘kwetsbare’ jongeren niet of onvoldoende vertegenwoordigd is. In deze paper bespreken we een narratief onderzoek bij 40 jongeren die begeleid worden in de residentiële bijzondere jeugdbijstand. Drugs en druggebruik nemen een niet onbelangrijke plaats in in het leven van deze jongeren: alle jongeren hebben ervaringen met middelen, hetzij door deze zelf te gebruiken (N=18), hetzij door gebruik in hun eigen familiale context (N=25), hetzij via vrienden (N=26). Ze hebben dan ook een uitgesproken mening over wat kan en niet kan, en wat zij als ‘helpend’ en ‘niet helpend’ beschouwen. Als rode draad doorheen de interviews komt de dialoog en het bespreekbaar maken van drugs en druggebruik in de voorzieningen sterk naar voor. Verschillende jongeren benadrukken het al te sterke accent op controle rond het gebruik van middelen, en pleiten daarentegen voor een evenwicht tussen d...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common among adult patients with a substance use disorder, yet often goes undetected. This is a qualitative study to explore implementation barriers to a guideline developed in Belgium... more
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common among adult patients with a substance use disorder, yet often goes undetected. This is a qualitative study to explore implementation barriers to a guideline developed in Belgium for the recognition and treatment of ADHD in adult patients with substance use disorder and to gain a better understanding of the strategies to overcome these barriers. Focus groups were conducted with caregivers and patients to explore experiences with comorbid substance use disorder and ADHD. The barriers reported in these focus groups became the subject of further study in focus groups with addiction professionals (physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists) who had tried the guideline and with psychiatrists specializing in addiction but without experience with ADHD. Our analysis revealed a number of barriers to the implementation of this guideline, including lack of information from the family, pressure from patients and caregivers to make an AD...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT Familieleden van drugsgebruikers worden veel meer dan vroeger als belangrijke partners in de hulpverlening beschouwd, maar kunnen door hulpverleners ook als dwingend en lastig ervaren worden. In dit artikel benaderen we... more
ABSTRACT Familieleden van drugsgebruikers worden veel meer dan vroeger als belangrijke partners in de hulpverlening beschouwd, maar kunnen door hulpverleners ook als dwingend en lastig ervaren worden. In dit artikel benaderen we familieleden als een aparte doelgroep die ook ondersteuning nodig heeft. Deze ondersteuning kan slechts tot stand komen nadat duidelijk is wat de behoeften en verwachtingen zijn. De nadruk ligt niet op het geven van goede inhoudelijke adviezen maar eerder op het realiseren van een betekenisvolle samenwerking met familieleden.
Research Interests:
Abstract This article aims to examine specific substance use profiles among former Soviet Union (FSU) immigrant and native-born women in Israeli therapeutic treatment facilities. Individuals were sampled at drug treatment facilities and... more
Abstract This article aims to examine specific substance use profiles among former Soviet Union (FSU) immigrant and native-born women in Israeli therapeutic treatment facilities. Individuals were sampled at drug treatment facilities and assessed using the Addiction Severity ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
... instance, Fraser and Hawkins (1984), Westermeyer and Neider (1988), Griffith, Knight, Joe andSimpson (1998), O'Dell, Turner and ... Ove Frank1, Ingegerd Jansson1, Jonas Larsson1, Se¨bastien Reichmann2, Veerle Soyez3, Isabel... more
... instance, Fraser and Hawkins (1984), Westermeyer and Neider (1988), Griffith, Knight, Joe andSimpson (1998), O'Dell, Turner and ... Ove Frank1, Ingegerd Jansson1, Jonas Larsson1, Se¨bastien Reichmann2, Veerle Soyez3, Isabel Vielva4 1 Stockholm University, Sweden 2 ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Het belang van sociale steun bij de behandeling van verslaafden wordt algemeen aanvaard. Hulpverleners betrekken er daarom graag belangrijke anderen bij. De behoeften van deze significante anderen mogen echter niet worden veronachtzaamd,... more
Het belang van sociale steun bij de behandeling van verslaafden wordt algemeen aanvaard. Hulpverleners betrekken er daarom graag belangrijke anderen bij. De behoeften van deze significante anderen mogen echter niet worden veronachtzaamd, want samenleven met iemand die middelen misbruikt kan leiden tot extreme en langdurige stress. De steun die significante anderen kunnen geven, hangt af van hun eigen behoeften en coping-strategieën en van de soort relatie. Aan de hand van registratieonderzoek en exploratieve studies komen in dit artikel ook de specifieke vragen en behoeften van partners en broers en zussen aan bod.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
There is currently little empirical research on the effect of motivation and readiness on the treatment of different groups of substance abusers. In the present study, the CMRS scales are used to assess motivation and readiness for... more
There is currently little empirical research on the effect of motivation and readiness on the treatment of different groups of substance abusers. In the present study, the CMRS scales are used to assess motivation and readiness for treatment of a large sample of primary alcohol, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine abusers admitted to a long-term residential therapeutic community. Findings show few significant differences in overall retention or initial motivation and readiness. Initial motivation and readiness scores persist as significant predictors of short-term retention in treatment across most groups. Findings support the TC perspective that the substance abuse problem is the person, not the drug of choice, and are consistent with prior research emphasizing the importance of dynamic rather than fixed variables as determinants of retention.
Research Interests: Psychology, Health Behavior, Assessment, Psychometrics, Social Problems, and 40 morePersonality Assessment, Forecasting, Evaluation, Treatment, Public Health, Language, Adolescent, Group Psychotherapy, Belgium, Multivariate Analysis, Substance Abuse Treatment, Translations, Motivation, Humans, Substance Abuse, Alcoholism, Female, Confirmatory factor analysis, Cocaine, Male, Drug Addiction, Patient Compliance, Follow-up studies, American, Netherlands, Psychometric Properties, Crack Cocaine, Middle Aged, Validity and Reliability, Adult, Empirical evidence, Public health systems and services research, Therapeutic Community, Reliability Assessment, Adolescent Behavior, Predictive value of tests, Substance-Related Disorders, Residential Treatment Care, Cohort Studies, and attitude to health
Internationaal onderzoek wijst op een hoge prevalentie van psychiatrische stoornissen bij gedetineerden. Het ontbreekt echter veelal aan systematische en accurate procedures om deze stoornissen te diagnosticeren. In dit artikel bespreken... more
Internationaal onderzoek wijst op een hoge prevalentie van psychiatrische stoornissen bij gedetineerden. Het ontbreekt echter veelal aan systematische en accurate procedures om deze stoornissen te diagnosticeren. In dit artikel bespreken we de ontwikkeling van een aangepast protocol voor screening en assessment van psychiatrische stoornissen en drugsgerelateerde stoornissen bij nieuw-aangemelde gedetineerden in Belgische gevangenissen. De sensitiviteit en specificiteit van de screeningsinstrumenten BJMHS en SSI-SA in dit protocol werd uitgetest in een kleinschalige pilotstudie (N = 91). Er kon een vrij goede sensitiviteit aangetoond worden voor zowel SSI-SA als BJMHS. De specificiteit van beide instrumenten is evenwel matig. Aanvullend onderzoek bij een grotere steekproef die uitsluitend bestaat uit nieuw-aangemelde gedetineerden en geïnterneerden is noodzakelijk.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
... POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT D'UNE METHODOLOGIE RESUME Joke De WildeVeerle Soyez Stijn Vandevelde Eric Broekaert Tom Vander Beken Rudy Guillaume Elke Dumortier Youri Caels La recherche s'inscrit dans le ...
... Macon, GA: Mercer University. View all references; Shupe & Bromley, 198546. Shupe, A. and Bromley, D. 1985. ... Fallen angel. An introduction. In Therapeutic communities for the treatment of drug users , Edited by: Rawlings, B.... more
... Macon, GA: Mercer University. View all references; Shupe & Bromley, 198546. Shupe, A. and Bromley, D. 1985. ... Fallen angel. An introduction. In Therapeutic communities for the treatment of drug users , Edited by: Rawlings, B. and Yates, R. 928. London: Jessica Kingsley. ...
Research Interests:
SUMMARY
Research Interests:
... Matthew's parents were divorced, but he had stayed in touch with both of them. His mother participated actively in the family counselling activities in De Kiem. Matthew had a brother, a half-sister, two half-brothers and a... more
... Matthew's parents were divorced, but he had stayed in touch with both of them. His mother participated actively in the family counselling activities in De Kiem. Matthew had a brother, a half-sister, two half-brothers and a stepbrother. ...
Research Interests:
1. Kaplan C, Broekaert E, Frank O, Reichmann S: Improving psychiatric treatment in residential programmes for emerging dependency groups: Approach and epidemiologic findings in Europe; in Proceedings of the Community Epidemiology Work... more
1. Kaplan C, Broekaert E, Frank O, Reichmann S: Improving psychiatric treatment in residential programmes for emerging dependency groups: Approach and epidemiologic findings in Europe; in Proceedings of the Community Epidemiology Work Group, National Institute ...
Research Interests: Psychology, Social Work, Psychometrics, European Union, European Commission, and 10 moreHumans, Substance Abuse, Europe, Mental Disorders, Public health systems and services research, Reproducibility of Results, SECONDARY PREVENTION, Substance-Related Disorders, Residential Treatment Care, and Severity of Illness Index
It is the goal of this study to investigate the first development of the drug-free therapeutic community (TC) in Europe. The paper aims at systemizing information, scattered all over Europe and is the first stage in an ongoing study to... more
It is the goal of this study to investigate the first development of the drug-free therapeutic community (TC) in Europe. The paper aims at systemizing information, scattered all over Europe and is the first stage in an ongoing study to record the development of the European TC movement and its influences. After a study of the grey (hidden) literature, TC pioneers and experts per country were contacted to further elaborate the first findings. Subsequently, a preliminary summary of our findings was published in the Newsletter of the European Federation of Therapeutic Communities (EFTC), inviting additional information and corrections. The authors completed the results for this article with relevant first-hand information, obtained through interviews with European pioneers. The findings are summarized under three topics: chronology, interconnections and European identity. It was found that from 1968 until 1989, a new therapeutic approach arose all over Europe, modeled after Synanon, Daytop and Phoenix House, New York, through Phoenix House, London and Emiliehoeve in the Netherlands. Therapeutic communities were established in Belgium, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland as well. These communities were closely-knit and interconnected in their reaction against psychiatric and methadone treatment. The European TCs developed an own identity compared to the American ones. The European TCs adapted the model of their American predecessors to their own culture, influenced more by milieu-therapy and social learning. Instead of harsh behaviorism, more emphasis was placed on dialogue and understanding. Professionals occupied a more pivotal role and took over the dominant position of ex-addicts. Research, executed by TC professionals gradually entered the TC. A generic network of TC connections, through which the development evolved, was uncovered, and clear regional trends can be observed.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Psychology, Epidemiology, Mental Health, Statistical Analysis, Public Health, and 23 moreSubstance Abuse Treatment, Humans, Substance Abuse, Substance Use, Europe, Female, Male, Gender Difference, Drug Addiction, Substance Dependence, Mental Disorders, former Soviet Union, Substance, Adult, Public health systems and services research, Sex Factors, Therapeutic Community, Binary Logistic Regression, Alcohol Use, Logistic Models, Substance-Related Disorders, Drug treatment, and Severity of Illness Index
Because diagnostic assessment of children emphasizes information from multiple informants, the reliability of findings in detained and incarcerated samples may be hampered. The objective of the current study was to examine parent-child... more
Because diagnostic assessment of children emphasizes information from multiple informants, the reliability of findings in detained and incarcerated samples may be hampered. The objective of the current study was to examine parent-child agreement with regard to disruptive behavior disorders (with or without impairment) and disorder-related symptoms in detained male youths. Between January 2005 and February 2007, a representative sample of 150 detainees, 12 to 17 years old, from the 3 Youth Detention Centers for boys in Flanders, Belgium, and 1 parent of each were interviewed with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, Version IV (DISC-IV). Interviewees were selected consecutively on the basis of Belgian origin for practical, financial, and time-related reasons. Of the 150 participants, 9 were excluded and the parents of 26 could not be included for various reasons, and thus full data were obtained for 115 parents. Overall poor parent-child agreement at the disorder and symptom level was found, which is consistent with previous studies. Parents reported significantly more unique information on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (p < .001) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) (p < .001), while youths reported significantly more unique conduct disorder (CD)-related information (p = .01). The large proportion of parents uniquely reporting ADHD and ODD supports previous concerns about the reliability of self-reported ADHD and ODD and suggests an essential contribution by parents to the accurate assessment of these disorders in adolescent detainees. With regard to CD, it may be appropriate to rely on youth self-report.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Background Although numerous studies recognize the importance of social network support in engaging substance abusers into treatment, there is only limited knowledge of the impact of network involvement and support during treatment. The... more
Background Although numerous studies recognize the importance of social network support in engaging substance abusers into treatment, there is only limited knowledge of the impact of network involvement and support during treatment. The primary objective of this research was to enhance retention in Therapeutic Community treatment utilizing a social network intervention.Aims The specific goals of this study were (1) to determine whether different pre-treatment factors predicted treatment retention in a Therapeutic Community; and (2) to determine whether participation of significant others in a social network intervention predicted treatment retention.Design, setting and participants Consecutive admissions to four long-term residential Therapeutic Communities were assessed at intake (n = 207); the study comprised a mainly male (84.9%) sample of polydrug (41.1%) and opiate (20.8%) abusers, of whom 64.4% had ever injected drugs. Assessment involved the European version of the Addiction Severity Index (EuropASI), the Circumstances, Motivation, Readiness scales (CMR), the Dutch version of the family environment scale (GKS/FES) and an in-depth interview on social network structure and perceived social support. Network members of different cohorts were assigned to a social network intervention, which consisted of three elements (a video, participation at an induction day and participation in a discussion session).Findings Hierarchical regression analyses showed that client-perceived social support (F1,198 = 10.9, P = 0.001) and treatment motivation and readiness (F1,198 = 8.8; P = 0.003) explained a significant proportion of the variance in treatment retention (model fit: F7,197 = 4.4; P = 0.000). By including the variable ‘significant others’ participation in network intervention’ (network involvement) in the model, the fit clearly improved (F1,197 = 6.2; P = 0.013). At the same time, the impact of perceived social support decreased (F1,197 = 2.9; P = 0.091).Conclusions Participation in the social network intervention was associated with improved treatment retention controlling for other client characteristics. This suggests that the intervention may be of benefit in the treatment of addicted individuals.
Research Interests:
There is a lack of research illustrating the extent of psychiatric problems in European TCs. Furthermore, there is a need to obtain more insight into gender differences concerning comorbidity in the TC population. In an attempt to respond... more
There is a lack of research illustrating the extent of psychiatric problems in European TCs. Furthermore, there is a need to obtain more insight into gender differences concerning comorbidity in the TC population. In an attempt to respond to previous shortcomings, three specific goals were formulated for the current study. The primary aim was to explore the lifetime prevalence of affective disorders in European TC clients. The second aim was to focus on related gender differences. And finally, client characteristics measured by the EuropASI were related to mood and anxiety disorders measured by the SCID-I. Nine out of ten substance abusers treated in a European TC program have an affective disorder. Gender differences are noted for two anxiety disorders: men have more obsessive-compulsive disorders; women have more post-traumatic stress disorders. The study illustrates that not only gender but also other client characteristics should be taken into account when organizing treatment.
Research Interests: Anxiety Disorders, Comorbidity, Post traumatic stress disorder, Humans, Substance Abuse, and 17 moreEurope, Female, Male, Gender Difference, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Heroin Dependence, Clinical Sciences, Mood Disorders, Adult, Sex Factors, Therapeutic Community, Psychiatric, Anxiety Disorder, Cross Sectional Studies, Psychiatric Quarterly, Affective Disorder, and Substance-Related Disorders
This article discusses the use of residential therapeutic communities (TCs) to help addicts recover. The European and American antecedents of the TC and the model’s further evolution and dispersion are described. The increasing openness... more
This article discusses the use of residential therapeutic communities (TCs) to help addicts recover. The European and American antecedents of the TC and the model’s further evolution and dispersion are described. The increasing openness of the TC toward the outside world and its changed attitude toward family involvement have played important roles in the evolution of the TC. In this context, the article also pays attention to the family approach in the early TC and the major family therapeutic schools that influenced the model, specifically contextual therapy. A renewed attention to its humanistic roots can preserve the TC from becoming just another substance abuse treatment modality. However, good functioning of the TC as humanistic organization also requires openness, professionalism, and scientific input. Those elements are as safeguards against destructive charismatic leadership and insularity.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
There is currently little empirical research on the effect of motivation and readiness on the treatment of different groups of substance abusers. In the present study, the CMRS scales are used to assess motivation and readiness for... more
There is currently little empirical research on the effect of motivation and readiness on the treatment of different groups of substance abusers. In the present study, the CMRS scales are used to assess motivation and readiness for treatment of a large sample of primary alcohol, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine abusers admitted to a long-term residential therapeutic community. Findings show few significant differences in overall retention or initial motivation and readiness. Initial motivation and readiness scores persist as significant predictors of short-term retention in treatment across most groups. Findings support the TC perspective that the substance abuse problem is the person, not the drug of choice, and are consistent with prior research emphasizing the importance of dynamic rather than fixed variables as determinants of retention.
Research Interests: Psychology, Health Behavior, Assessment, Psychometrics, Social Problems, and 40 morePersonality Assessment, Forecasting, Evaluation, Treatment, Public Health, Language, Adolescent, Group Psychotherapy, Belgium, Multivariate Analysis, Substance Abuse Treatment, Translations, Motivation, Humans, Substance Abuse, Alcoholism, Female, Confirmatory factor analysis, Cocaine, Male, Drug Addiction, Patient Compliance, Follow-up studies, American, Netherlands, Psychometric Properties, Crack Cocaine, Middle Aged, Validity and Reliability, Adult, Empirical evidence, Public health systems and services research, Therapeutic Community, Reliability Assessment, Adolescent Behavior, Predictive value of tests, Substance-Related Disorders, Residential Treatment Care, Cohort Studies, and attitude to health
Internationaal onderzoek wijst op een hoge prevalentie van psychiatrische stoornissen bij gedetineerden. Het ontbreekt echter veelal aan systematische en accurate procedures om deze stoornissen te diagnosticeren. In dit artikel bespreken... more
Internationaal onderzoek wijst op een hoge prevalentie van psychiatrische stoornissen bij gedetineerden. Het ontbreekt echter veelal aan systematische en accurate procedures om deze stoornissen te diagnosticeren. In dit artikel bespreken we de ontwikkeling van een aangepast protocol voor screening en assessment van psychiatrische stoornissen en drugsgerelateerde stoornissen bij nieuw-aangemelde gedetineerden in Belgische gevangenissen. De sensitiviteit en specificiteit van de screeningsinstrumenten BJMHS en SSI-SA in dit protocol werd uitgetest in een kleinschalige pilotstudie (N = 91). Er kon een vrij goede sensitiviteit aangetoond worden voor zowel SSI-SA als BJMHS. De specificiteit van beide instrumenten is evenwel matig. Aanvullend onderzoek bij een grotere steekproef die uitsluitend bestaat uit nieuw-aangemelde gedetineerden en geïnterneerden is noodzakelijk.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
... POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT D'UNE METHODOLOGIE RESUME Joke De WildeVeerle Soyez Stijn Vandevelde Eric Broekaert Tom Vander Beken Rudy Guillaume Elke Dumortier Youri Caels La recherche s'inscrit dans le ...
Research Interests:
There is currently little empirical research on the effect of motivation and readiness on the treatment of different groups of substance abusers. In the present study, the CMRS scales are used to assess motivation and readiness for... more
There is currently little empirical research on the effect of motivation and readiness on the treatment of different groups of substance abusers. In the present study, the CMRS scales are used to assess motivation and readiness for treatment of a large sample of primary alcohol, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine abusers admitted to a long-term residential therapeutic community. Findings show few significant differences in overall retention or initial motivation and readiness. Initial motivation and readiness scores persist as significant predictors of short-term retention in treatment across most groups. Findings support the TC perspective that the substance abuse problem is the person, not the drug of choice, and are consistent with prior research emphasizing the importance of dynamic rather than fixed variables as determinants of retention.
Research Interests: Psychology, Health Behavior, Assessment, Psychometrics, Social Problems, and 40 morePersonality Assessment, Forecasting, Evaluation, Treatment, Public Health, Language, Adolescent, Group Psychotherapy, Belgium, Multivariate Analysis, Substance Abuse Treatment, Translations, Motivation, Humans, Substance Abuse, Alcoholism, Female, Confirmatory factor analysis, Cocaine, Male, Drug Addiction, Patient Compliance, Follow-up studies, American, Netherlands, Psychometric Properties, Crack Cocaine, Middle Aged, Validity and Reliability, Adult, Empirical evidence, Public health systems and services research, Therapeutic Community, Reliability Assessment, Adolescent Behavior, Predictive value of tests, Substance-Related Disorders, Residential Treatment Care, Cohort Studies, and attitude to health
... Macon, GA: Mercer University. View all references; Shupe & Bromley, 198546. Shupe, A. and Bromley, D. 1985. ... Fallen angel. An introduction. In Therapeutic communities for the treatment of drug users , Edited by: Rawlings, B.... more
... Macon, GA: Mercer University. View all references; Shupe & Bromley, 198546. Shupe, A. and Bromley, D. 1985. ... Fallen angel. An introduction. In Therapeutic communities for the treatment of drug users , Edited by: Rawlings, B. and Yates, R. 928. London: Jessica Kingsley. ...
Research Interests:
Internationaal onderzoek wijst op een hoge prevalentie van psychiatrische stoornissen bij gedetineerden. Het ontbreekt echter veelal aan systematische en accurate procedures om deze stoornissen te diagnosticeren. In dit artikel bespreken... more
Internationaal onderzoek wijst op een hoge prevalentie van psychiatrische stoornissen bij gedetineerden. Het ontbreekt echter veelal aan systematische en accurate procedures om deze stoornissen te diagnosticeren. In dit artikel bespreken we de ontwikkeling van een aangepast protocol voor screening en assessment van psychiatrische stoornissen en drugsgerelateerde stoornissen bij nieuw-aangemelde gedetineerden in Belgische gevangenissen. De sensitiviteit en specificiteit van de screeningsinstrumenten BJMHS en SSI-SA in dit protocol werd uitgetest in een kleinschalige pilotstudie (N = 91). Er kon een vrij goede sensitiviteit aangetoond worden voor zowel SSI-SA als BJMHS. De specificiteit van beide instrumenten is evenwel matig. Aanvullend onderzoek bij een grotere steekproef die uitsluitend bestaat uit nieuw-aangemelde gedetineerden en geïnterneerden is noodzakelijk.
Research Interests:
SUMMARY
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
... Matthew's parents were divorced, but he had stayed in touch with both of them. His mother participated actively in the family counselling activities in De Kiem. Matthew had a brother, a half-sister, two half-brothers and a... more
... Matthew's parents were divorced, but he had stayed in touch with both of them. His mother participated actively in the family counselling activities in De Kiem. Matthew had a brother, a half-sister, two half-brothers and a stepbrother. ...
Research Interests:
... POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT D'UNE METHODOLOGIE RESUME Joke De WildeVeerle Soyez Stijn Vandevelde Eric Broekaert Tom Vander Beken Rudy Guillaume Elke Dumortier Youri Caels La recherche s'inscrit dans le ...
1. Kaplan C, Broekaert E, Frank O, Reichmann S: Improving psychiatric treatment in residential programmes for emerging dependency groups: Approach and epidemiologic findings in Europe; in Proceedings of the Community Epidemiology Work... more
1. Kaplan C, Broekaert E, Frank O, Reichmann S: Improving psychiatric treatment in residential programmes for emerging dependency groups: Approach and epidemiologic findings in Europe; in Proceedings of the Community Epidemiology Work Group, National Institute ...
Research Interests: Psychology, Social Work, Psychometrics, European Union, European Commission, and 10 moreHumans, Substance Abuse, Europe, Mental Disorders, Public health systems and services research, Reproducibility of Results, SECONDARY PREVENTION, Substance-Related Disorders, Residential Treatment Care, and Severity of Illness Index
... Macon, GA: Mercer University. View all references; Shupe & Bromley, 198546. Shupe, A. and Bromley, D. 1985. ... Fallen angel. An introduction. In Therapeutic communities for the treatment of drug users , Edited by: Rawlings, B.... more
... Macon, GA: Mercer University. View all references; Shupe & Bromley, 198546. Shupe, A. and Bromley, D. 1985. ... Fallen angel. An introduction. In Therapeutic communities for the treatment of drug users , Edited by: Rawlings, B. and Yates, R. 928. London: Jessica Kingsley. ...
Research Interests:
It is the goal of this study to investigate the first development of the drug-free therapeutic community (TC) in Europe. The paper aims at systemizing information, scattered all over Europe and is the first stage in an ongoing study to... more
It is the goal of this study to investigate the first development of the drug-free therapeutic community (TC) in Europe. The paper aims at systemizing information, scattered all over Europe and is the first stage in an ongoing study to record the development of the European TC movement and its influences. After a study of the grey (hidden) literature, TC pioneers and experts per country were contacted to further elaborate the first findings. Subsequently, a preliminary summary of our findings was published in the Newsletter of the European Federation of Therapeutic Communities (EFTC), inviting additional information and corrections. The authors completed the results for this article with relevant first-hand information, obtained through interviews with European pioneers. The findings are summarized under three topics: chronology, interconnections and European identity. It was found that from 1968 until 1989, a new therapeutic approach arose all over Europe, modeled after Synanon, Daytop and Phoenix House, New York, through Phoenix House, London and Emiliehoeve in the Netherlands. Therapeutic communities were established in Belgium, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland as well. These communities were closely-knit and interconnected in their reaction against psychiatric and methadone treatment. The European TCs developed an own identity compared to the American ones. The European TCs adapted the model of their American predecessors to their own culture, influenced more by milieu-therapy and social learning. Instead of harsh behaviorism, more emphasis was placed on dialogue and understanding. Professionals occupied a more pivotal role and took over the dominant position of ex-addicts. Research, executed by TC professionals gradually entered the TC. A generic network of TC connections, through which the development evolved, was uncovered, and clear regional trends can be observed.
Research Interests:
SUMMARY
Research Interests:
... Matthew's parents were divorced, but he had stayed in touch with both of them. His mother participated actively in the family counselling activities in De Kiem. Matthew had a brother, a half-sister, two half-brothers and a... more
... Matthew's parents were divorced, but he had stayed in touch with both of them. His mother participated actively in the family counselling activities in De Kiem. Matthew had a brother, a half-sister, two half-brothers and a stepbrother. ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
1. Kaplan C, Broekaert E, Frank O, Reichmann S: Improving psychiatric treatment in residential programmes for emerging dependency groups: Approach and epidemiologic findings in Europe; in Proceedings of the Community Epidemiology Work... more
1. Kaplan C, Broekaert E, Frank O, Reichmann S: Improving psychiatric treatment in residential programmes for emerging dependency groups: Approach and epidemiologic findings in Europe; in Proceedings of the Community Epidemiology Work Group, National Institute ...
Research Interests: Psychology, Social Work, Psychometrics, European Union, European Commission, and 10 moreHumans, Substance Abuse, Europe, Mental Disorders, Public health systems and services research, Reproducibility of Results, SECONDARY PREVENTION, Substance-Related Disorders, Residential Treatment Care, and Severity of Illness Index
Research Interests: Psychology, Epidemiology, Mental Health, Statistical Analysis, Public Health, and 23 moreSubstance Abuse Treatment, Humans, Substance Abuse, Substance Use, Europe, Female, Male, Gender Difference, Drug Addiction, Substance Dependence, Mental Disorders, former Soviet Union, Substance, Adult, Public health systems and services research, Sex Factors, Therapeutic Community, Binary Logistic Regression, Alcohol Use, Logistic Models, Substance-Related Disorders, Drug treatment, and Severity of Illness Index
Because diagnostic assessment of children emphasizes information from multiple informants, the reliability of findings in detained and incarcerated samples may be hampered. The objective of the current study was to examine parent-child... more
Because diagnostic assessment of children emphasizes information from multiple informants, the reliability of findings in detained and incarcerated samples may be hampered. The objective of the current study was to examine parent-child agreement with regard to disruptive behavior disorders (with or without impairment) and disorder-related symptoms in detained male youths. Between January 2005 and February 2007, a representative sample of 150 detainees, 12 to 17 years old, from the 3 Youth Detention Centers for boys in Flanders, Belgium, and 1 parent of each were interviewed with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, Version IV (DISC-IV). Interviewees were selected consecutively on the basis of Belgian origin for practical, financial, and time-related reasons. Of the 150 participants, 9 were excluded and the parents of 26 could not be included for various reasons, and thus full data were obtained for 115 parents. Overall poor parent-child agreement at the disorder and symptom level was found, which is consistent with previous studies. Parents reported significantly more unique information on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (p < .001) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) (p < .001), while youths reported significantly more unique conduct disorder (CD)-related information (p = .01). The large proportion of parents uniquely reporting ADHD and ODD supports previous concerns about the reliability of self-reported ADHD and ODD and suggests an essential contribution by parents to the accurate assessment of these disorders in adolescent detainees. With regard to CD, it may be appropriate to rely on youth self-report.
Research Interests:
It is the goal of this study to investigate the first development of the drug-free therapeutic community (TC) in Europe. The paper aims at systemizing information, scattered all over Europe and is the first stage in an ongoing study to... more
It is the goal of this study to investigate the first development of the drug-free therapeutic community (TC) in Europe. The paper aims at systemizing information, scattered all over Europe and is the first stage in an ongoing study to record the development of the European TC movement and its influences. After a study of the grey (hidden) literature, TC pioneers and experts per country were contacted to further elaborate the first findings. Subsequently, a preliminary summary of our findings was published in the Newsletter of the European Federation of Therapeutic Communities (EFTC), inviting additional information and corrections. The authors completed the results for this article with relevant first-hand information, obtained through interviews with European pioneers. The findings are summarized under three topics: chronology, interconnections and European identity. It was found that from 1968 until 1989, a new therapeutic approach arose all over Europe, modeled after Synanon, Daytop and Phoenix House, New York, through Phoenix House, London and Emiliehoeve in the Netherlands. Therapeutic communities were established in Belgium, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland as well. These communities were closely-knit and interconnected in their reaction against psychiatric and methadone treatment. The European TCs developed an own identity compared to the American ones. The European TCs adapted the model of their American predecessors to their own culture, influenced more by milieu-therapy and social learning. Instead of harsh behaviorism, more emphasis was placed on dialogue and understanding. Professionals occupied a more pivotal role and took over the dominant position of ex-addicts. Research, executed by TC professionals gradually entered the TC. A generic network of TC connections, through which the development evolved, was uncovered, and clear regional trends can be observed.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Background Although numerous studies recognize the importance of social network support in engaging substance abusers into treatment, there is only limited knowledge of the impact of network involvement and support during treatment. The... more
Background Although numerous studies recognize the importance of social network support in engaging substance abusers into treatment, there is only limited knowledge of the impact of network involvement and support during treatment. The primary objective of this research was to enhance retention in Therapeutic Community treatment utilizing a social network intervention.Aims The specific goals of this study were (1) to determine whether different pre-treatment factors predicted treatment retention in a Therapeutic Community; and (2) to determine whether participation of significant others in a social network intervention predicted treatment retention.Design, setting and participants Consecutive admissions to four long-term residential Therapeutic Communities were assessed at intake (n = 207); the study comprised a mainly male (84.9%) sample of polydrug (41.1%) and opiate (20.8%) abusers, of whom 64.4% had ever injected drugs. Assessment involved the European version of the Addiction Severity Index (EuropASI), the Circumstances, Motivation, Readiness scales (CMR), the Dutch version of the family environment scale (GKS/FES) and an in-depth interview on social network structure and perceived social support. Network members of different cohorts were assigned to a social network intervention, which consisted of three elements (a video, participation at an induction day and participation in a discussion session).Findings Hierarchical regression analyses showed that client-perceived social support (F1,198 = 10.9, P = 0.001) and treatment motivation and readiness (F1,198 = 8.8; P = 0.003) explained a significant proportion of the variance in treatment retention (model fit: F7,197 = 4.4; P = 0.000). By including the variable ‘significant others’ participation in network intervention’ (network involvement) in the model, the fit clearly improved (F1,197 = 6.2; P = 0.013). At the same time, the impact of perceived social support decreased (F1,197 = 2.9; P = 0.091).Conclusions Participation in the social network intervention was associated with improved treatment retention controlling for other client characteristics. This suggests that the intervention may be of benefit in the treatment of addicted individuals.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Psychology, Epidemiology, Mental Health, Statistical Analysis, Public Health, and 23 moreSubstance Abuse Treatment, Humans, Substance Abuse, Substance Use, Europe, Female, Male, Gender Difference, Drug Addiction, Substance Dependence, Mental Disorders, former Soviet Union, Substance, Adult, Public health systems and services research, Sex Factors, Therapeutic Community, Binary Logistic Regression, Alcohol Use, Logistic Models, Substance-Related Disorders, Drug treatment, and Severity of Illness Index
There is a lack of research illustrating the extent of psychiatric problems in European TCs. Furthermore, there is a need to obtain more insight into gender differences concerning comorbidity in the TC population. In an attempt to respond... more
There is a lack of research illustrating the extent of psychiatric problems in European TCs. Furthermore, there is a need to obtain more insight into gender differences concerning comorbidity in the TC population. In an attempt to respond to previous shortcomings, three specific goals were formulated for the current study. The primary aim was to explore the lifetime prevalence of affective disorders in European TC clients. The second aim was to focus on related gender differences. And finally, client characteristics measured by the EuropASI were related to mood and anxiety disorders measured by the SCID-I. Nine out of ten substance abusers treated in a European TC program have an affective disorder. Gender differences are noted for two anxiety disorders: men have more obsessive-compulsive disorders; women have more post-traumatic stress disorders. The study illustrates that not only gender but also other client characteristics should be taken into account when organizing treatment.
Research Interests: Anxiety Disorders, Comorbidity, Post traumatic stress disorder, Humans, Substance Abuse, and 17 moreEurope, Female, Male, Gender Difference, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Heroin Dependence, Clinical Sciences, Mood Disorders, Adult, Sex Factors, Therapeutic Community, Psychiatric, Anxiety Disorder, Cross Sectional Studies, Psychiatric Quarterly, Affective Disorder, and Substance-Related Disorders
This article discusses the use of residential therapeutic communities (TCs) to help addicts recover. The European and American antecedents of the TC and the model’s further evolution and dispersion are described. The increasing openness... more
This article discusses the use of residential therapeutic communities (TCs) to help addicts recover. The European and American antecedents of the TC and the model’s further evolution and dispersion are described. The increasing openness of the TC toward the outside world and its changed attitude toward family involvement have played important roles in the evolution of the TC. In this context, the article also pays attention to the family approach in the early TC and the major family therapeutic schools that influenced the model, specifically contextual therapy. A renewed attention to its humanistic roots can preserve the TC from becoming just another substance abuse treatment modality. However, good functioning of the TC as humanistic organization also requires openness, professionalism, and scientific input. Those elements are as safeguards against destructive charismatic leadership and insularity.
Research Interests:
Because diagnostic assessment of children emphasizes information from multiple informants, the reliability of findings in detained and incarcerated samples may be hampered. The objective of the current study was to examine parent-child... more
Because diagnostic assessment of children emphasizes information from multiple informants, the reliability of findings in detained and incarcerated samples may be hampered. The objective of the current study was to examine parent-child agreement with regard to disruptive behavior disorders (with or without impairment) and disorder-related symptoms in detained male youths. Between January 2005 and February 2007, a representative sample of 150 detainees, 12 to 17 years old, from the 3 Youth Detention Centers for boys in Flanders, Belgium, and 1 parent of each were interviewed with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, Version IV (DISC-IV). Interviewees were selected consecutively on the basis of Belgian origin for practical, financial, and time-related reasons. Of the 150 participants, 9 were excluded and the parents of 26 could not be included for various reasons, and thus full data were obtained for 115 parents. Overall poor parent-child agreement at the disorder and symptom level was found, which is consistent with previous studies. Parents reported significantly more unique information on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (p < .001) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) (p < .001), while youths reported significantly more unique conduct disorder (CD)-related information (p = .01). The large proportion of parents uniquely reporting ADHD and ODD supports previous concerns about the reliability of self-reported ADHD and ODD and suggests an essential contribution by parents to the accurate assessment of these disorders in adolescent detainees. With regard to CD, it may be appropriate to rely on youth self-report.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Background Although numerous studies recognize the importance of social network support in engaging substance abusers into treatment, there is only limited knowledge of the impact of network involvement and support during treatment. The... more
Background Although numerous studies recognize the importance of social network support in engaging substance abusers into treatment, there is only limited knowledge of the impact of network involvement and support during treatment. The primary objective of this research was to enhance retention in Therapeutic Community treatment utilizing a social network intervention.Aims The specific goals of this study were (1) to determine whether different pre-treatment factors predicted treatment retention in a Therapeutic Community; and (2) to determine whether participation of significant others in a social network intervention predicted treatment retention.Design, setting and participants Consecutive admissions to four long-term residential Therapeutic Communities were assessed at intake (n = 207); the study comprised a mainly male (84.9%) sample of polydrug (41.1%) and opiate (20.8%) abusers, of whom 64.4% had ever injected drugs. Assessment involved the European version of the Addiction Severity Index (EuropASI), the Circumstances, Motivation, Readiness scales (CMR), the Dutch version of the family environment scale (GKS/FES) and an in-depth interview on social network structure and perceived social support. Network members of different cohorts were assigned to a social network intervention, which consisted of three elements (a video, participation at an induction day and participation in a discussion session).Findings Hierarchical regression analyses showed that client-perceived social support (F1,198 = 10.9, P = 0.001) and treatment motivation and readiness (F1,198 = 8.8; P = 0.003) explained a significant proportion of the variance in treatment retention (model fit: F7,197 = 4.4; P = 0.000). By including the variable ‘significant others’ participation in network intervention’ (network involvement) in the model, the fit clearly improved (F1,197 = 6.2; P = 0.013). At the same time, the impact of perceived social support decreased (F1,197 = 2.9; P = 0.091).Conclusions Participation in the social network intervention was associated with improved treatment retention controlling for other client characteristics. This suggests that the intervention may be of benefit in the treatment of addicted individuals.
Research Interests:
There is a lack of research illustrating the extent of psychiatric problems in European TCs. Furthermore, there is a need to obtain more insight into gender differences concerning comorbidity in the TC population. In an attempt to respond... more
There is a lack of research illustrating the extent of psychiatric problems in European TCs. Furthermore, there is a need to obtain more insight into gender differences concerning comorbidity in the TC population. In an attempt to respond to previous shortcomings, three specific goals were formulated for the current study. The primary aim was to explore the lifetime prevalence of affective disorders in European TC clients. The second aim was to focus on related gender differences. And finally, client characteristics measured by the EuropASI were related to mood and anxiety disorders measured by the SCID-I. Nine out of ten substance abusers treated in a European TC program have an affective disorder. Gender differences are noted for two anxiety disorders: men have more obsessive-compulsive disorders; women have more post-traumatic stress disorders. The study illustrates that not only gender but also other client characteristics should be taken into account when organizing treatment.