Whiteside-Mansell, L., Crone, C., & Conners, N. (1999). The development and evaluation of an alcohol and drug prevention and treatment program for women and children. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 16(3), 265–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0740-5472(98)00049-X

Type of Study: Pretest–posttest study with a nonequivalent control group (Quasi-experimental)
Number of Participants: 95

Population:

• Age — Participating: Average=28.8 years; Nonparticipating: Average=26.3 years
• Race/Ethnicity — Participating: 75% African American; Nonparticipating: 70% African American
• Gender — Not specified
• Status — Participants were women who volunteered for or were referred for  Arkansas CARES services or who refused services (comparison group).

Location/Institution: Arkansas

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of the study was to examine the evolution of the Arkansas Center for Addictions Research, Education, and Services (Arkansas CARES) over a 5-year period and evaluate its impact on women and children. Participants were women and children participating in the Arkansas CARES program compared to those who had refused service. Measures utilized include the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Results indicate that alcohol use in the Arkansas CARES group dropped from 83.6% at intake to 4% at delivery. Use in the non-participating group dropped from 90.5% to 33%. Similar levels were reported for other types of drug use. Fewer participating women experienced premature labor or maternal infection and their hospital stays were shorter. Longer program participation was associated with higher birth weight. Limitations include lack of random assignment and lack of comparison data for children's follow-up.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: 18 months after delivery of target child.

Conners, N. A., Bradley, R. H., Whiteside-Mansell, L., & Crone, C. C. (2001). A comprehensive substance abuse treatment program for women and their children: An initial evaluation. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 21(2), 67–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0740-5472(01)00186-6

Type of Study: Pretest–posttest study with a nonequivalent control group (Quasi-experimental)
Number of Participants: 72

Population:

• Age — 16–44 years
• Race/Ethnicity — All Groups: Majority African American; Late Dropout Group: 43% Caucasian; Early Dropout Group: 21% Caucasian; Graduate Group: 13% Caucasian
• Gender — Female
• Status — Participants were in residential substance abuse treatment for women with children.

Location/Institution: Arkansas

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of the study was to examine the Arkansas Center for Addictions Research, Education, and Services (Arkansas CARES) program, a comprehensive, residential substance abuse treatment program for women and their children. Participants were compared across three treatment groups: clients who stayed in treatment less than 30 days (early drop-out), those who stayed in more than 30 days but did not complete treatment (late drop-out), and those who completed the program (graduates). Measures utilized include the Addiction Severity Index, the Parenting Stress Index, the Outcomes of Addiction Questionnaire, and the Family Cohesiveness Scale. Children were assessed with the Scales of Independent Behavior-Revised (SIB-R) and the Denver Developmental Screening Test. Results indicate that 15% of the graduate group experienced a relapse during follow-up, compared to 50% of early drop-outs and 61% of late dropouts. The groups did not differ on number of days of substance use. There were no group differences in self-reported negative consequences of substance use. In addition, few graduates had poverty level incomes or arrests. They also improved more on parenting stress scores and family cohesion. No significant group differences were found in children's behavior or drug resistance skills scores. Limitations include very small group sizes, lack of randomized design, and lack of an untreated comparison group.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: 12 months after discharge.