The authors describe the development and pilot use of a procedure for assessing social support. The social network map takes into account both the structure and function of the client's personal social network. The authors discuss the clinical utility of the map as well as guidelines for using social support assessment information in case planning.

Background Quality of life (QOL) is increasingly recognized as central to the broad construct of recovery in substance abuse services. QOL measures can supplement more objective symptom measures, identify specific service needs and document changes in functioning that are associated with substance use patterns. To date however, QOL remains an under investigated area in the addictions field, especially in the United States. Methods This study examines patterns and predictors of QOL at 1 and 6 months post treatment intake among 240 women enrolled in substance abuse treatment in Cleveland, Ohio. The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) measure was used to assess physical, psychological, social and environmental domains. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to identify correlates of QOL at 6 months post treatment intake. Results All QOL domains across the follow up time points improved significantly. However, QOL scores across domains remained below those of healthy population norms. Trauma symptoms significantly predicted Physical and Psychological QOL. Among treatment process variables, alcohol use was the sole significant factor associated with QOL and only for Environmental QOL. Recovery support and friends support for abstinence were consistently associated with QOL across all four domains. Implications This study suggests the usefulness of the WHOQOL measure as an indicator of functioning in substance abusing populations. Findings underline the importance of helping women deal with trauma symptoms and develop support for recovery. Further research is needed on the longitudinal relationship between QOL and substance use patterns

The purpose of this study was to explore the nature of the non-kin natural mentoring relationships among 19-year-old youths (N=189) in the process of "aging out" of the foster care system. Data for the present study are from the final interview of a longitudinal study of older youth exiting the foster care system in Missouri. Participants that reported a natural mentoring relationship at age 19 were asked a series of qualitative questions about their reported relationship. The sample in this study was 65% female and 58% youth of color. Thematic analysis, informed by relational-cultural theory (Miller & Stiver, 1997), was utilized to explore the nature of the relationships from the youth's perspective. These youth reported having natural mentors who served in a range of roles in their lives, including youth service professionals and friends of their families. These older youth also described the (a) qualities of their natural mentors that were important to them, (b) specific features of their natural mentoring relationships that they perceived to be especially helpful, and (c) the various kinds of support these relationships had offered to them. Implications for social work policy, practice, and research are discussed.

Using a personal social network framework, this qualitative study sought to understand how women in substance abuse treatment describe their network members' supportive and unsupportive behaviors related to recovery. Eighty-six women were interviewed from residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs. Positive and negative aspects of women's social networks were assessed via open-ended questions. Analysis was guided by grounded theory techniques using three coders. The findings extend classic social support concepts such as emotional, tangible, and informational support. Practice implications are presented in light of the potential roles network members may play in substance use and recovery.

We examined the experiences of women in treatment for substance dependence and their treatment providers about personal networks and recovery. We conducted six focus groups at three women’s intensive substance abuse treatment programs. Four coders used thematic analysis to guide the data coding and an iterative process to identify major themes. Coders identified social network characteristics that enabled and impeded recovery and a reciprocal relationship between internal states, relationship management, and recovery. Although women described adding individuals to their networks, they also described managing existing relationships through distancing from or isolating some members to diminish their negative impact on recovery. Treatment providers identified similar themes but focused more on contextual barriers than the women. The focus of interventions with this population should be on both internal barriers to personal network change such as mistrust and fear, and helping women develop skills for managing enduring network relationships.

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As part of a larger initiative to promote active learning at Case Western Reserve University, three faculty members (one field and two academic) participated in a yearlong fellowship focusing on active instruction and academic technologies. The use of interactive technology and technology-based peer-to-peer active learning was considered a natural fit to the teaching of social work clinical practice skills; these techniques were designed to recognize students' diverse learning styles and to promote hands-on application of practice skills in classroom and field settings. The following innovations were implemented. First, a foundation methods practice course was ''flipped''-students viewed online lectures and instructional videos at their own pace prior to class, allowing classroom time to be reserved for collaborative work and case study exercises designed to engage students and deepen their understanding. Second, the Google Application Suite was used in both foundation and advanced masters courses to (a) help bridge the gap between field and classroom through case study dialogues with community practitioners using Google Hangouts video conferencing capability, (b) create an online and in-class learning community using Google?, and (c) promote student collaboration using Google Drive, Documents and Presentation. Third, the integration of newly designed interactive classroom learning spaces and collaborative technology was used to promote a pedagogical shift toward active learning. Implementation and evaluation of these approaches to teaching social work practice are presented.

Objective Women with dual disorders report lower levels of social support than women with substance dependence alone, and lower levels of social support have been associated with lower quality of life among individuals with substance use disorders. However, little is known about the impact of trauma symptoms and violence exposure on quality of life for women with dual disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of dual disorders, trauma, and social support related to recovery on various domains of quality of life among women in substance abuse treatment. Methods This study utilized multiple standardized measures and hierarchical ordinary least squares regression to examine quality of life, trauma, and social support in women with dual disorders. Four domains of quality of life were measured (Physical, Psychological, Social, and Environmental Domains). Participants (N=369) were recruited from three inner city women only addiction treatment programs. IRB approval was obtained prior to sample recruitment. Results Presence of a dual disorder was significantly associated with lower quality of life in the Physical and Psychological domains. However, this difference was no longer significant when trauma symptoms were added to the model. Trauma symptoms and Support for Recovery significantly predicted quality of life across all four domains and Friends Support for Abstinence across three domains. Conclusions Findings suggest that the presence of a dual disorder in women may indicate a history of trauma. They also support the importance of both friend’s support for abstinence and recovery support as predictors of quality of life in women with dual disorders. Interventions that focus on social support and quality of life in treatment with women with substance use disorders may potentially enhance treatment outcomes.