Title:
The effect of the therapeutic alliance on the treatment outcomes of individuals receiving methadone maintenance therapy
Author:
Peter M. Johnson
Thesis Advisor:
Matthew Kirkhart
Committee Member:
Jen Lowry
Committee Member:
Deborah Haskins
Degree Granting Institution:
Loyola University Maryland--College of Arts and Sciences
Place:
Baltimore (Md.)
Publisher:
Loyola University Maryland
Date Created:
2009
Type of Resource:
text
Genre:
thesis
Language:
eng
Format:
application/pdf
Physical Form:
electronic
Digital Source:
reformatted digital
Abstract:
Research has examined the relation between the therapeutic relationship and substance abuse treatment outcome measures such as retention rates, treatment engagement, and substance use in-treatment. This study examined the role that empathy, unconditionality, positive regard, and genuineness have on the quality of the counseling relationship and furthermore, how these traits effect future treatment outcomes for individuals receiving Methadone Maintenance Therapy. Aside from focusing on retention, engagement in treatment, and drug use, this study examined the relation between the therapeutic alliance and criminal involvement, social relationships outside of therapy, as well as physical and mental health status. One hundred fifty participants who were active clients at the Glenwood Life Counseling Center were randomly selected to participate in the study. Using the Barrett Lennard Relationship Inventory, participants were asked to rate their counselors in four domains: Empathy, Unconditionality, Regard, and Congruence. A multiple regression was conducted using the four counselor traits and various treatment outcome measures. Results indicated that participants who rated their counselors highly in Congruence and Regard were more likely to be involved in community support groups, and less likely to be involved in criminal activities respectively. Conversely, participants who rated their counselors highly in Unconditionality and Empathy were associated with higher rates of in-treatment drug use, more frequent negative encounters with police, and poor client treatment engagement. These results are considered in light of the existing literature regarding the impact of the therapeutic relationship on substance abuse treatment outcomes.
Subject:
Electronic dissertations
Degree:
Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Level:
Doctoral
Discipline:
Psychology
Restrictions on Access:
Author has given permission to make this work available online.
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Identifier:
JohnsonPM-09
