Organizational Context and Individual Adaptability in Promoting Perceived Importance and Use of Best Practices for Substance Use

J Behav Health Serv Res. 2019 Apr;46(2):192-216. doi: 10.1007/s11414-018-9618-7.

Abstract

This study examines associations among organizational context, staff attributes, perceived importance, and use of best practices among staff in community-based, juvenile justice (JJ) agencies. As part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse's Juvenile Justice-Translational Research on Interventions for Adolescents in the Legal System (JJ-TRIALS) study, 492 staff from 36 JJ agencies were surveyed about the perceived importance and use of best practices within their organization in five substance use practice domains: screening, assessment, standard referral, active referral, and treatment support. Structural equation models indicated that supervisory encouragement and organizational innovation/flexibility were associated with greater individual adaptability. Adaptability (willingness to try new ideas, use new procedures, adjust quickly to change), was positively correlated with importance ratings. Importance ratings were positively associated with reported use of best practices. Organizational climates that support innovation likely affect use of practices through staff attributes and perceptions of the importance of such services.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Female
  • Health Personnel / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Juvenile Delinquency* / psychology
  • Juvenile Delinquency* / rehabilitation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (U.S.)
  • Organizational Culture
  • Organizational Innovation
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Substance-Related Disorders* / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders* / therapy
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Translational Research, Biomedical
  • United States