Although women constitute 13% of all persons arrested for Driving While Impaired (DWI) nationally, they have been largely ignored by investigators. Yet, evidence indicates that the numbers of women DWI offenders is increasing, and that women are overrepresented among alcohol-impaired drivers involved in serious motor vehicle crashes. The cumulative literature regarding factors which contribute to DWI and high risk driving has been derived exclusively from studies of males. Factors which have emerged as important contributors to driving risk among males encompass five psychosocial domains: demographic characteristics; excessive alcohol use; personality traits; acute states of emotional distress; and driving-related attitudes (Donovan, Marlatt, and Salzberg). Donovan, Marlatt, and colleagues have postulated a theoretical cognitive- behavioral model which integrates the influence of these factors on driving risk (Donovan, Marlatt, and Salzberg, 1983). The purpose of the proposed project is to characterize women DWI offenders, test the applicability of this model to female versus male DWI offenders, develop predictive models for driving outcomes based on information obtained during the initial assessment, and evaluate the quality of information provided in the initial assessment. To accomplish this a systematic, controlled follow-up study will be conducted of the entire cohort of female first DWI offenders who were initially evaluated at the time of referral from a municipal court system to the Lovelace Comprehensive Screening Program (LCSP) during its first three years of operation. Structured, in-person interviews will be conducted on all available women first DWI offenders (N + approximately 1,000), and a comparison group consisting of male first offenders in numbers equal to the female ethnic/race groups. These interviews will examine the course of alcohol and driving problems over the 5-year period following the index arrest. a Total of about 2,000 persons will be interviewed: 47% Hispanic, 39% non-Hispanic white, 12% Native Americans and 2% other races. Prevalence rates of alcohol abuse/dependence, and mental health diagnoses will be ascertained using well specified diagnostic criteria. Rates of alcohol use and mental health disorders in women in the three ethnic/race subgroups will be compared, as will rates for males vs. females. These rates also will be compared with rates in the general population as assessed by the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) project. Information gathered will be used to develop typologies of women offenders based upon the cognitive-behavioral model. We will then determine the extent to which these typologies differentiate among groups of low and high risk female DWI offenders. In addition, we will evaluate the accuracy of information provided in the initial screening interview. The descriptive and analytical study proposed will add to the body of knowledge about this segment of the DWI offender population and will have practical value in developing and implementing effective prevention and screening programs, and matching clients with appropriate treatment interventions.
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