FACTORS AFFECTING THE COUNSELING WORKING ALLIANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS SEEKING SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT
Open Access
- Author:
- Watts, Justin R
- Graduate Program:
- Counselor Education
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- February 24, 2016
- Committee Members:
- Deirdre Elizabeth Mary O'sullivan, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Richard Hazler, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Katie Kostohryz, Committee Member
Jonna Marie Kulikowich, Committee Member
Jennie G Noll, Committee Member - Keywords:
- child maltreatment
substance abuse
substance dependence
trauma
counseling
mental health - Abstract:
- Research has established that individuals who experience trauma and meet the criteria for substance dependence often demonstrate higher rates of treatment dropout when compared to those with one condition. Individuals who have experienced child-maltreatment exhibit many characteristics which may interfere with treatment engagement. A strong counseling working alliance has been cited as a major protective factor for individuals who are seeking trauma and substance abuse treatment, and is a significant predictor of treatment adherence. This study included adults (n = 114) who self-identified as having experienced childhood maltreatment, and were currently seeking inpatient treatment for substance dependence. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between child-maltreatment, experiential avoidance, difficulties in emotion regulation, trust, and the counseling working alliance for individuals who are seeking inpatient treatment for substance dependence. Results of this study revealed that emotion dysregulation and experiential avoidance were significantly negatively correlated to counseling working alliance ratings; while results of regression analyses demonstrated that trust was significantly and positively related to positive working alliance ratings. Suggestions for future research, counselor training programs, and practitioners are examined in detail.