Housing and abstinence self-efficacy in formerly incarcerated individuals

J Offender Rehabil. 2016;55(8):548-563. doi: 10.1080/10509674.2016.1229713. Epub 2016 Oct 4.

Abstract

To avoid recidivism, formerly-incarcerated individuals must successfully navigate barriers to re-entry, including finding adequate housing and avoiding substance use. This study examined the role that time in diverse housing situations affect abstinence self-efficacy in formerly-incarcerated individuals. Formerly-incarcerated individuals were surveyed about previous housing situations and abstinence self-efficacy after release from prison or inpatient substance use treatment. Models were estimated with both days spent in different housing situations in the past 180 and past 30 days. More time spent in recovery situations was associated with increased abstinence self-efficacy, while more time spent in precarious situations was associated with decreased abstinence self-efficacy.

Keywords: addicted offenders; offender re-entry; offender rehabilitation; reentry; self-efficacy; substance abuse.