Court-Ordered versus Voluntary Clients: Problem Differences and Readiness for Change

Many social work clients are under considerable pressure or even outright coercion to obtain social work services. Often considered “resistant” or “hard to reach” some of these clients are court ordered to treatment for a variety of reasons. Surprisingly little research links referral source to client characteristics or to treatment process and outcome. This study examines the relationship between referral source (court-ordered versus voluntary) and background variables, client presenting problems as measured by the South Shore Problem Inventory-Revised, and readiness for intentional change as measured by the Stages of Change Scale for 343 newly admitted outpatient mental health clients. Referral source varied with selected background variables, problem severity, and readiness for change. Implications for social work practice are addressed.