@article{desmarais_zottola_duhart clarke_lowder_2020, title={Predictive Validity of Pretrial Risk Assessments: A Systematic Review of the Literature}, volume={48}, ISSN={0093-8548 1552-3594}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0093854820932959}, DOI={10.1177/0093854820932959}, abstractNote={ Bail reform is sweeping the nation and many jurisdictions are looking to pretrial risk assessment as one potential strategy to support these efforts. This article summarizes the findings of a systematic review of research examining the predictive validity of pretrial risk assessments. We reviewed 11 studies (13 publications) examining the predictive validity of six pretrial risk assessment instruments reported in the gray and peer-reviewed literature as of December, 2018. Findings typically show good to excellent predictive validity. Differences in predictive validity for men and women were mixed and small. When it could be examined, predictive validity was generally comparable across racial/ethnic subgroups; however, three comparisons revealed notably lower, albeit still fair to good, predictive validity for defendants of color than White defendants. Findings suggest that pretrial risk assessments predict pretrial outcomes with acceptable accuracy, but also emphasize the need for continued investigation of predictive validity across gender and racial/ethnic subgroups. }, number={4}, journal={Criminal Justice and Behavior}, publisher={SAGE Publications}, author={Desmarais, Sarah L. and Zottola, Samantha A. and Duhart Clarke, Sarah E. and Lowder, Evan M.}, year={2020}, month={Jun}, pages={009385482093295} }
 @article{lowder_desmarais_rade_johnson_van dorn_2019, title={Reliability and Validity of START and LSI-R Assessments in Mental Health Jail Diversion Clients}, volume={26}, ISSN={["1552-3489"]}, DOI={10.1177/1073191117704505}, abstractNote={ Risk assessment instruments are increasingly used in mental health jail diversion programs. This study examined the reliability and validity of Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START) and Level of Service Inventory–Revised (LSI-R) assessments overall and by client race. Research assistants completed START and LSI-R assessments for 95 diversion clients. Arrests and jail days were collected via official records and self-report 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months after baseline. Assessments demonstrated good interrater reliability and convergent validity. START strength total scores and LSI-R risk estimates were the strongest predictors of recidivism. Total scores and risk estimates did not differ as a function of client race, but there were some differences in accuracy of START vulnerability and LSI-R total scores and risk estimates in predicting jail days (but not arrests), over shorter follow-ups. No such differences were found for START strength total scores across any follow-up period or recidivism measure. }, number={7}, journal={ASSESSMENT}, author={Lowder, Evan M. and Desmarais, Sarah L. and Rade, Candalyn B. and Johnson, Kiersten L. and Van Dorn, Richard A.}, year={2019}, month={Oct}, pages={1347–1361} }
 @article{zottola_desmarais_neupert_dong_laber_lowder_van dorn_2019, title={Results of the Brief Jail Mental Health Screen Across Repeated Jail Bookings}, volume={70}, ISSN={1075-2730 1557-9700}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201800377}, DOI={10.1176/appi.ps.201800377}, abstractNote={OBJECTIVE
The Brief Jail Mental Health Screen (BJMHS) is widely used at intake in county jails to identify detainees who may have serious mental illness and who should be referred for further mental health evaluation. The BJMHS may be administered multiple times across repeated jail bookings; however, the extent to which results may change over time is unclear. To that end, the authors examined the odds of screening positive on the BJMHS across repeated jail bookings.


METHODS
Data were drawn from the administrative and medical records of a large, urban county jail that used the BJMHS at jail booking. The study sample comprised BJMHS results for the 12,531 jail detainees who were booked at least twice during the 3.5-year period (N=41,965 bookings). Multilevel logistic modeling was used to examine changes over time overall and within the four decision rules (current psychiatric medication, prior hospitalization, two or more current symptoms, and referral for any other reason).


RESULTS
Results show that the odds of a positive screen overall increased with each jail booking, as did the odds of referral for any other reason. In contrast, the odds of screening positive for two or more current symptoms and prior hospitalization decreased. There was no change in the odds of screening positive for current psychiatric medication across bookings.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings show that BJMHS results changed across bookings. Further research is needed to determine whether changes reflect true changes in mental health status, issues with fidelity, the repeated nature of the screening process, or other factors.}, number={11}, journal={Psychiatric Services}, publisher={American Psychiatric Association Publishing}, author={Zottola, Samantha A. and Desmarais, Sarah L. and Neupert, Shevaun D. and Dong, Lin and Laber, Eric and Lowder, Evan M. and Van Dorn, Richard A.}, year={2019}, month={Nov}, pages={1006–1012} }
 @article{haskett_okoniewski_armstrong_galanti_lowder_loehman_lanier_2017, title={Feasibility, acceptability, and effects of a peer support group to prevent child maltreatment among parents experiencing homelessness}, volume={73}, ISSN={["1873-7765"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.12.012}, abstractNote={Parents and children experiencing an episode of homelessness face a variety of adverse factors that can increase their risk of difficult relationships and even child maltreatment. Parent support programs have been suggested as one way to strengthen parent-child relationships and decrease risk of child maltreatment for this vulnerable population, but such programs have not been rigorously evaluated. This study was designed to investigate if Circle of Parents, a self-help support group developed to decrease child maltreatment, was a feasible, acceptable, and effective intervention for parents residing in shelters (N = 80). The investigation utilized a quasi-experimental design using propensity score analysis with a services-as-usual comparison group. The Protective Factors Survey (PFS) and a client satisfaction questionnaire served as the primary outcome measures and group facilitators provided information about feasibility of the intervention within shelters. Promising evidence was found for the acceptability and feasibility of Circle of Parents. However, analyses of PFS data showed little difference between the intervention and services-as-usual comparison groups. Overall, findings pointed to emerging positive findings but underscored the need for continued controlled examination of the effectiveness of Circle of Parents implemented in shelters and transitional housing.}, journal={CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW}, author={Haskett, Mary E. and Okoniewski, Katherine C. and Armstrong, Jenna M. and Galanti, Sally and Lowder, Evan and Loehman, Jessica and Lanier, Paul J.}, year={2017}, month={Feb}, pages={187–196} }
 @article{lowder_desmarais_rade_coffey_van dorn_2017, title={Models of Protection Against Recidivism in Justice-Involved Adults With Mental Illnesses}, volume={44}, ISSN={0093-8548 1552-3594}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0093854817710966}, DOI={10.1177/0093854817710966}, abstractNote={ Protective factors may play an important role in the assessment, treatment, and supervision of adult offenders with mental illnesses. However, little is known regarding associations between protective factors, risk factors, and recidivism in this population. In research with adolescents, five models describing these associations have been proposed and tested: (a) Compensatory, (b) Buffer, (c) Challenge, (d) Protective-Protective, and (e) Mediation. This study evaluated these models of protection against recidivism in a sample of justice-involved adults with mental illnesses ( N = 550). Risk and protective factors were operationalized using Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START) assessments. Results showed consistent evidence for the Compensatory model, where risk and protective factors were independently associated with recidivism. In contrast, results failed to provide evidence supporting the other four models. Findings underscore the importance of both risk and protective factors in the assessment, treatment, and supervision of adult offenders. }, number={7}, journal={Criminal Justice and Behavior}, publisher={SAGE Publications}, author={Lowder, Evan M. and Desmarais, Sarah L. and Rade, Candalyn B. and Coffey, Tim and Van Dorn, Richard A.}, year={2017}, month={May}, pages={893–911} }
 @article{lowder_desmarais_neupert_truelove_2017, title={SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR): Disability Application Outcomes Among Homeless Adults}, volume={68}, ISSN={1075-2730 1557-9700}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201600568}, DOI={10.1176/appi.ps.201600568}, abstractNote={OBJECTIVE
The SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) program has been shown to increase access to Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits among homeless adults. However, little empirical data exist on how or for whom SOAR achieves successful application outcomes. This study investigated applicant and application characteristics associated with disability application outcomes among homeless adults.


METHODS
Secondary data on 6,361 SOAR-assisted applications were obtained. Multilevel models investigated between-applicant differences in application processing time and decision as a function of applicant and application characteristics.


RESULTS
Older age and living in an institution were associated with greater odds of application approval. Female gender and receipt of public assistance were associated with longer processing time and lower odds of approval. Except for quality review, SOAR critical components were associated with greater odds of approval.


CONCLUSIONS
Women and adults receiving public assistance appear disadvantaged in the SOAR application process. SOAR critical components promote successful disability application outcomes.}, number={11}, journal={Psychiatric Services}, publisher={American Psychiatric Association Publishing}, author={Lowder, Evan M. and Desmarais, Sarah L. and Neupert, Shevaun D. and Truelove, Melissa A.}, year={2017}, month={Nov}, pages={1189–1192} }
 @article{lowder_desmarais_baucom_2016, title={Recidivism following mental health court exit: Between and within-group comparisons.}, volume={40}, ISSN={1573-661X 0147-7307}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000168}, DOI={10.1037/lhb0000168}, abstractNote={Over the past decade, Mental Health Courts (MHCs) have spread rapidly across the U.S. These courts aim to reduce recidivism among adults with mental illnesses through diversion into community-based treatment. Extant research suggests that MHCs can be effective in reducing recidivism, but also demonstrates that effectiveness varies as a function of characteristics of the participants (e.g., criminal history) and the program (e.g., coercion). Less is known regarding the extent to which process-related factors (e.g., length of participation, time between referral and receipt of services) impact effectiveness. Prior research also is limited by a focus on recidivism during MHC as opposed to postexit. To address these knowledge gaps, we examined recidivism 1 year postexit for a group of MHC participants (n = 57) and offenders receiving treatment as usual (TAU; n = 40), total N = 97. We also investigated the influence of individual characteristics and process factors on changes in jail days 1 year preentry to 1 year postexit for MHC participants. Overall, results provide some evidence supporting the effectiveness of MHCs. MHC participants had significantly fewer jail days, but not charges or convictions, relative to TAU participants. Among MHC participants, graduation from the MHC, presence of co-occurring substance use, and longer length of MHC participation were associated with greater reductions in jail days. Other process factors were unrelated to reductions in recidivism. Findings suggest that MHCs may be particularly effective for high-risk participants and that time spent in a MHC has positive effects on recidivism, regardless of graduation status.}, number={2}, journal={Law and Human Behavior}, publisher={American Psychological Association (APA)}, author={Lowder, Evan M. and Desmarais, Sarah L. and Baucom, Daniel J.}, year={2016}, pages={118–127} }
 @article{desmarais_pritchard_lowder_janssen_2014, title={Intimate partner abuse before and during pregnancy as risk factors for postpartum mental health problems}, volume={14}, ISSN={1471-2393}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-14-132}, DOI={10.1186/1471-2393-14-132}, abstractNote={Although research has established the profound effects that intimate partner abuse can have on postpartum mental health, little is known regarding how this association may change as a function of the timing and type of abuse. This study examined associations of psychological, physical and sexual abuse experienced as adults before and during pregnancy with symptoms of postpartum mental health problems in a non-clinical sample of women. English-speaking mothers aged 18 years and older in the metropolitan area of a large, Western Canadian city were recruited to participate in a study of women’s health after pregnancy. The study was advertised in hospitals, local newspapers, community venues, and relevant websites. One-hundred women completed standardized, self-report questionnaires during semi-structured interviews conducted by female research assistants at approximately 2 months postpartum. In addition to questions about their general health and well-being, participants answered questions about their experiences of intimate partner abuse and about their mental health during the postpartum period. Almost two-thirds (61.0%) of women reported postpartum mental health symptoms above normal levels, with 47.0% reporting symptoms at moderate or higher levels. The majority reported some form of intimate partner abuse before pregnancy (84.0%) and more than two-thirds (70.0%), during pregnancy; however, the abuse was typically minor in nature. Multivariate models revealed that women who experienced intimate partner abuse—whether before or during pregnancy—reported higher levels of postpartum mental health problems; however, associations differed as a function of the timing and type of abuse, as well as specific mental health symptoms. Multivariate models also showed that as the number of types of intimate partner abuse experienced increased, so did the negative effects on postpartum mental health. Results of this study provide further evidence that intimate partner abuse is a risk factor for postpartum mental health problems. They also underscore the complex risks and needs associated with intimate partner abuse among postpartum women and support the use of integrated approaches to treating postpartum mental health problems. Future efforts should focus on the extent to which strategies designed to reduce intimate partner abuse also improve postpartum mental health and vice versus.}, number={1}, journal={BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Desmarais, Sarah L and Pritchard, Ashley and Lowder, Evan M and Janssen, Patricia A}, year={2014}, month={Apr} }