The Reliability of Biographical Information Obtained from Court-Stipulated Clients Newly Admitted to Treatment

Abstract

An exhaustive test-ietest reliability study was made of the intake interview used by Abraxas' residential drug program. The study is notable in that (1) 143 wide-ranging questionnaire variables were examined, (2) all tested clients were under court pressure, and (3) the second interview was given after an average of 8 months in treatment. Reliability coefficients for 50% of the 143 items were found to be >.70, 83 were >.50, and the lowest coefficient recorded was. 24. Although the clients tended to suppress some sensitive material in the first interview, it was concluded that considerable self-reported information can be obtained from court-stipulated clients within a few days after admission.