Predicting Positive Attitudes About Quitting Drug and Alcohol Use Among Homeless Women

Two separate path models for alcohol and drugs were tested in which psychosocial, environmental, and sociodemographic variables predicted behavioral and substance abuse related factors as well as the key outcome of positive attitudes about quitting drugs ( N = 620) or alcohol ( N = 526) in a sample of 709 homeless women. A positive attitude about quitting alcohol was predicted by more Addiction Symptoms, fewer Positive Effects from using alcohol, and not having a partner who uses alcohol. A positive attitude about quitting drugs was predicted by more Drug Problems, greater Drug Use in the Past 6 Months, more Active Coping, more education, less Emotional Distress, not having a partner who uses drugs, and fewer Addiction Symptoms. Implications of the results for drug and alcohol interventions are discussed.