Factors Contributing to Substance Abuse Treatment Completion Among Alaska Natives

Factors Contributing to Substance Abuse Treatment Completion Among Alaska Natives by Courtney Kay Donovan MS, Alaska Pacific University, 2007 BS, Alaska Pacific University, 2004 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University January 2019 Abstract Alaska Native populations have experienced significant struggles with addictions to alcohol and other substances. The Alaska Native population’s access to treatment services is riddled with problems. This quantitative study served the purpose of identifying factors that lead to the prediction of successful treatment discharges among Alaska Native clients who received treatment for substance abuse at a treatment center in Alaska. Based on the theoretical framework of Marlatt’s relapse prevention theory, using archival data, as well as a cross-sectional, quantitative research design, predictive variables of the efficacy of substance use treatment among outpatient clients (N = 278) were examined. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess whether adverse experiences, depression levels, social support, substance abuse, and sociocultural variables such as ethnicity, age, gender, mandatory/voluntary treatment enrollment predicted successful discharge in outpatient treatment. Results indicated that only gender was significantly connected to treatment outcomes. Women were more likely than men to successfully complete the treatment program. Several limitations could explain these results including the use of instruments that were not empirically validated, the use of self-report measures, and the quality of the assessment process. Results of this study could be used to focus on understanding and developing specific treatment modalities for men with substance abuse problems. Future studies should use empirically validated measures and a precise program of research.Alaska Native populations have experienced significant struggles with addictions to alcohol and other substances. The Alaska Native population’s access to treatment services is riddled with problems. This quantitative study served the purpose of identifying factors that lead to the prediction of successful treatment discharges among Alaska Native clients who received treatment for substance abuse at a treatment center in Alaska. Based on the theoretical framework of Marlatt’s relapse prevention theory, using archival data, as well as a cross-sectional, quantitative research design, predictive variables of the efficacy of substance use treatment among outpatient clients (N = 278) were examined. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess whether adverse experiences, depression levels, social support, substance abuse, and sociocultural variables such as ethnicity, age, gender, mandatory/voluntary treatment enrollment predicted successful discharge in outpatient treatment. Results indicated that only gender was significantly connected to treatment outcomes. Women were more likely than men to successfully complete the treatment program. Several limitations could explain these results including the use of instruments that were not empirically validated, the use of self-report measures, and the quality of the assessment process. Results of this study could be used to focus on understanding and developing specific treatment modalities for men with substance abuse problems. Future studies should use empirically validated measures and a precise program of research. Factors Contributing to Substance Abuse Treatment Completion Among Alaska Natives by Courtney Kay Donovan MS, Alaska Pacific University, 2007 BS, Alaska Pacific University, 2004 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University January 2019 Acknowledgements I must share my love and gratitude for my family; this journey would not have been possible without the support of my parents, Joy and Timothy Donovan, who were my very first teachers. You have inspired me in all things, great and small. Thank you for encouraging me, even as a very young child, to always aim for the stars and follow my dreams. I am especially grateful for your never ending love and guidance, your willingness to always go above and beyond for me, and all of the selfless sacrifices that were made to ensure I could succeed. I also would like to express my love for my son, Timothy. You are the light of my life and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for you; but one thing I know for sure is, as Dr. Seuss would say, “Kid, you’ll move mountains! ” Additionally, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my committee chair, Dr. Susana Verdinelli, whose positivity, encouragement, and dedication were invaluable throughout this process; she continually and convincingly conveyed a spirit of adventure in regard to research and scholarship, and an excitement in regard to teaching. Without her guidance and persistent help this dissertation would not have been possible. Thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement over the years! Finally, I would like to thank my committee members, Dr. Matthew Fearrington and Dr. Mona Hanania, for their insightful comments and encouragement, and also for their feedback and reviews of my study. Your perspectives and guidance truly helped to shape my dissertation.