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The Influence of Treatment Motivation, Treatment Status and Social Networks on Perceived Social Support of Women with Substance Use or Co-Occurring Disorders

Stevenson, Lauren DeMarco

Abstract Details

2009, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Social Welfare.

This study examined predictors of perceived social support and support forrecovery of women with substance use disorders or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders. The sample consisted of 136 adult women; 86 women were engaged in inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs, and 50 women were recruited from a study of mothers with cocaine exposed infants.

The women in the study were predominantly African American (82.4%) and of low income status with 80% of the women reporting an annual family income below $15,000. All of the women had a current substance use disorder and 77 (56.6%) of the women also had a co-occurring mental disorder including: Major Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Mania, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Hypomania, and Dysthymia. On average, women reported having a social network comprised of 10.73 members.

A significant relationship was found between critical members (those who provide negative support) within women’s social networks and perceived social support, with a higher percent of critical network members predicting lower perceived social support. Perceived social support scores were also significantly lower for women with a co-occurring mental disorder. Indirect relationships were found for women’s perceived social support. The percent of professionals within women’s social networks moderated the relationships between women’s treatment motivation and treatment status with perceived social support. The percent of substance users in women’s networks moderated the relationship between treatment motivation and perceived social support.

A sub sample analysis of 86 women in substance abuse treatment explored predictors of support for recovery. A significant relationship was found between the percent of members who support sobriety and support for recovery. This finding provides construct validity for the support for recovery measure.

Practice implications as well as directions for future research are included in this study. Findings suggest that clinicians should work with social network members and clients on improving communication and eliminating critical support to improve social support. Future research should focus on the impact of social relationships on treatment outcomes.

Elizabeth Tracy, PhD (Committee Chair)
David Biegel, PhD (Committee Member)
Kathryn Adams, PhD (Committee Member)
Sonia Minnes, PhD (Committee Member)
180 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Stevenson, L. D. (2009). The Influence of Treatment Motivation, Treatment Status and Social Networks on Perceived Social Support of Women with Substance Use or Co-Occurring Disorders [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1237936645

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Stevenson, Lauren. The Influence of Treatment Motivation, Treatment Status and Social Networks on Perceived Social Support of Women with Substance Use or Co-Occurring Disorders. 2009. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1237936645.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Stevenson, Lauren. "The Influence of Treatment Motivation, Treatment Status and Social Networks on Perceived Social Support of Women with Substance Use or Co-Occurring Disorders." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1237936645

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)