Predicting perceived quality of drug treatment programs using latent variable models

Key personnel in 294 drug treatment facilities in Los Angeles County provided objective information on program services, activities, and staffing, and subjective ratings of the quality or effectiveness of their programs. The present paper assessed the influence of program-related constructs on Perceived Quality of the treatment programs using a latent variable modeling approach. The latent variable Perceived Quality was indicated by ratings of the effectiveness of counseling services, staff and overall program. It was found that a greater Programmatic Focus (a clear philosophy and emphasis) and more Program Intensity (frequency of services) significantly predicted greater Perceived Quality. Group Therapy Focus and Methadone Program had significantly negative effects. Individual Therapy Focus had a positive but not statistically significant effect on Perceived Quality.