Coping Strategies in 12-Step Recovery: More Evidence for Categorical Involvement

Abstract

The present study examined 12-step involvement categorically and its relation to coping strategies and self-efficacy for abstinence among 42 members of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous and 42 recovering addicts/alcoholics residing in democratically operated recovery homes (Oxford Houses). Participants who were categorically involved in a set of 12-step activities reported significantly lower levels of emotion-focused coping strategies and significantly higher levels of social-support coping strategies and self-efficacy for abstinence compared with those who were less involved. Twelve-step meeting attendance was not significantly related to outcomes. Findings suggest that categorical involvement in 12-step activities equips recovering alcoholics/addicts with active coping strategies for their ongoing recovery. Implications for future research are discussed.

Predictors of Abstinence Self-Efficacy: Examining the Role of HIV-Risk Sexual Behavior

“…Measuring HIV-risk in terms of the frequency of sexual and drug use behaviors in the past 30 days is only one way to measure HIV-risk when other measures including lifetime rates of behaviors, number of partners, engaging in sex work, and whether participants’ sexual partners are high risk (e.g., injection drug users, sex workers) might also indicate such risk. Twelve-step meeting attendance is one way of measuring involvement in groups like AA/NA, whereas a complete or categorical approach to involvement across a number of 12-step behaviors has been demonstrated as being a better measure of such involvement (Majer, Jason, Aase, Droege, & Ferrari, 2013; Majer, Droege, & Jason, 2012; Majer, et al, 2011). Finally, the use of self-reported data at one time-point is another limitation of the present study, as repeated measures design might have provided more information in relation to changes in predictor variables and abstinence self-efficacy over time.…”

Abstinence Self-Efficacy and Substance Use at 2 Years: The Moderating Effects of Residential Treatment Conditions

“…Because confirmatory factor analyses support the eight-factor model of the DCTQ’s highly reliable subscales (.79 to .95; Sklar, Annis, & Turner, 1997), we used a total confidence score in the present study by collapsing the subscale scores and averaging these scores on a scale that ranges from 0% ( not at all confident ) to 100% ( very confident ). A total score approach to calculating abstinence self-efficacy has been effectively used in previous studies (Greenfield et al, 2000; Majer, Beers, & Jason, 2014; Majer et al, 2012). The DTCQ had excellent reliability with the present sample (Cronbach’s alpha = .98).…”

“…Investigations have demonstrated relationships between abstinence self-efficacy on the one hand, and living in Oxford Houses (Davis & Jason, 2005; Majer et al, 2002) and increased abstinence outcomes at 1 year among Oxford House residents (Jason, Davis et al, 2007) on the other hand. Research evidence suggests Oxford House living provides residents with greater levels of abstinence self-efficacy compared to 12-Step members who never lived in Oxford Houses (Majer, Droege, & Jason, 2012). Although the Oxford House model has been demonstrated to produce gains in abstinence self-efficacy that leads to better abstinence outcomes, findings from recent investigations suggest the effect of abstinence self-efficacy upon substance use outcomes can be better understood by examining mitigating factors.…”

Abstinence Social Support Among Ex-Prisoners With Substance Use Disorders

“…Because confirmatory factor analyses support the eight-factor model of the DTCQ’s highly reliable subscales (.79–.95; Sklar, Annis, & Turner, 1997), we used a total confidence score in the present study by collapsing the subscale scores and averaging these scores on a scale that ranges from 0% ( not at all confident ) to 100% ( very confident ). This total score approach to calculating self-efficacy for abstinence has been effectively used in previous studies (Greenfield et al, 2000; Majer, Droege, & Jason, 2012; Majer, Jason, & Olson, 2004). The DTCQ had excellent reliability with the present sample (Cronbach’s α = .98).…”