DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/M5ER-8A78

Defense Date

2015

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Shawn Utsey, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Micah McCreary, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Rosalie Corona, Ph.D.

Fourth Advisor

Paul Perrin, Ph.D.

Fifth Advisor

Karen Chartier, Ph.D.

Abstract

The effects of family functioning and tangible support from family members are examined in an opiate addicted population. The study specifically assessed drug use, self-efficacy, and quality of life as treatment outcomes of interest. There have been mixed findings in the literature in regards to how families influence rehabilitation from substance use. Specially, previous research has shown that families can further patients’ recovery, while other findings have shown that families can impede patients’ recovery from substance use. The aim of this study was to analyze potentially contributing factors related to the family system, to gain a stronger understanding of how families influence recovery for patients receiving treatment for their opiate addiction. The study included 110 participants who were patients from a medically assisted recovery facility. The participants took survey measures regarding beliefs about their self-efficacy, quality of life, family functioning, and tangible support received from family members. The participant’s drug use information was verified through facility databases of current urine screens and prescription use. Survey results did not substantiate the hypotheses that tangible support influences treatment outcomes. However, hypotheses that family functioning would positively influence self-efficacy and quality of life were supported. The belief that family functioning would have a negative relationship with the participant’s drug usage was not corroborated by the data, as there was no relationship found between these variables. Finally, there was no moderating relationship observed between family functioning, tangible support, and treatment outcomes. This was contrary to expectations that a moderating relationship would be present. Implications of how the study’s findings can inform research and clinical interventions in an opiate addicted population are discussed.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

5-12-2016

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