Although reductions were observed for group differences in other aspects of behavior and social functioning after control for (specific) cognitive abilities, group differences remained evident.
Compared to controls, it was hypothesised that group participants would show significant improvements in violent attitudes, anger, coping processes, social problem-solving, disruptive behavior and social functioning.
We used the MAP instrument [ 26] to measure functioning across several life domains related to addiction; substance use, physical and psychological health symptoms, health risk behavior, and social functioning.
The following measures were administered at baseline (Time 1) and repeated 16 weeks later post group (Time 2) to assess the primary (violent attitudes) and secondary outcomes (coping skills, social problem-solving, reaction to provocation, disruptive behavior and social functioning).
Police referrals were significantly more likely to have higher total HoNOS scores (indicating higher levels of difficulties in overall functioning), experience problems with behavior and social functioning, exhibit violent behavior, be admitted to the PICU, be administered sedatives/hypnotic medications, require seclusion and spend fewer days in hospital.
A number of subscale scores are also generated, e.g., withdrawn behavior, somatic complaints, anxious/depressed, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, delinquent behavior, aggressive behavior, school performance, and social functioning.
The HoNOS is a 12-item instrument measuring behavior, impairment, symptoms and social functioning for patients with mental disorders [ 17].
We performed adjusted univariate analyses on substance use behavior, health symptoms, and social functioning to test differences between men and women (defined as their biological sex) using multivariable linear regression for continuous variables and logistic regression for binary variables, while controlling for age, methadone dose, and duration of methadone treatment.
However, we used these questions as they were integrated in the HoNOS questionnaire, which has been used in various previous studies to assess behaviors, impairment, symptoms, and social functioning of severely ill psychiatric patients [ 28, 29].
These include suicidal behavior, decreased physical, cognitive and social functioning, and greater self-neglect, all of which are associated with increased mortality [ 1].
Interestingly, this trend was reversed for objectively assessed QoL, which included measures such as medical history, health risk behaviors, educational and financial levels and social functioning.
