Depressive Symptoms Drinking Consequences and Motivation to Change in First Time DWI Offenders

摘要

The current study assessed the extent to which mild to moderate pretreatment depressive symptoms could predict intervention outcomes in 284 first-time driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) offenders. After a 10-week intervention and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups, all participants reported declines in depressive symptoms, alcohol consumption, and negative drinking consequences and higher self-efficacy to avoid high-risk drinking. It was notable, however, that offenders with depressive symptoms reported more drinking-related consequences and lower self-efficacy at all time points, but greater motivation to change their drinking behavior. The findings suggest that offenders with depressive symptoms have more severe symptomatology than non-depressed offenders but may be more amenable to changing their drinking.