Project CARE: An Integrated Treatment Adherence Program for Bipolar Disorder at the Time of Prison Release - Pilot RCT
Bipolar Disorder
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Bipolar Disorder
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- DSM-5 diagnosis of bipolar I, bipolar II, or bipolar disorder not elsewhere classified
- Anticipated prison release within 4-10 weeks
- Expected release to locations anywhere in RI or to locations in other states within a 30 mile radius of Providence
- Aged 18 or older
- Willingness to sign an informed consent document that describes study procedures
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of current psychiatric symptoms severe enough to warrant separation from the general prison population
- Cognitive impairment sufficient to prevent successful completion of the baseline interview
- Inability to understand English sufficiently well to understand the consent form or assessment instruments when they are read aloud
Sites / Locations
- Rhode Island Department of Corrections
- Brown University
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Other
Community treatment Adherence at Re-Entry (CARE)
Treatment As Usual (TAU)
CARE will begin within the 2 months before prison release, and will continue for 6 months after re-entry. CARE will be comprised of: a) 3 individual sessions with the CARE counselor; b) 1 optional family/significant other (SO) session; and c) 11 brief (15-20 min) follow-up telephone contacts with prisoners and their SO over the first 6 months post-release. The CARE intervention will incorporate motivational strategies from existing interventions (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) in order to clarify values and goals to enhance motivation for community treatment engagement and behavior change. CARE will also integrate bipolar disorder psychoeducation and strategies from existing models of intervention for BD (e.g., McMaster Model of Family Functioning) that are designed to improve family communication, social support, and problem-solving around BD illness management over this vulnerable transition period.
Treatment As Usual (TAU) consists of unrestricted treatment provided by prison and community providers, as part of routine care in the criminal justice re-entry context. Study staff will provide no additional treatment in this arm.