An exploration of the association between criminal thinking and community program attrition

PurposeCriminal thinking has been identified as a risk factor for recidivism and more recently as a responsivity factor for treatment. Published research on the relationship between criminal thinking and program attrition has been limited to incarcerated samples. The present study examined the relationship between criminal thinking and program attrition in two community-based samples.MethodStudy 1 utilized a day reporting center (DRC) sample, while Study 2 utilized a sober house (SH) sample. Criminal thinking was assessed with the Criminogenic Thinking Profile (CTP), a 65-item Likert-type questionnaire that yields a total score and 8 unique thinking pattern scores.ResultsIn both samples, attrition was associated with higher levels of criminal thinking; however, different cognitive profiles emerged for DRC and SH non-completers. The specific criminal thinking pattern most associated with attrition from the DRC reflected a lack of regard/empathy for others, while the pattern most associated with attrition from the SH indicated a desire for risk taking and thrill seeking.ConclusionThe findings are consistent with an accumulating body of research on motivation to change and treatment engagement that identifies criminal thinking as a factor that interferes with responsivity to forensic treatment programs.

► Analyzed criminal thinking and program attrition in two community programs ► Overall levels of criminal thinking higher in non-completers ► Disregard for others was strongest pattern in day reporting center non-completers ► Demand for excitement was strongest pattern in sober house non-completers ► Pattern of results suggest criminal thinking may be related to program responsivity