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Abstract #159875

C.Arthur VanLear and Shu Li. Department of Communication Sciences, University of Connecticut, 850 Bolton Rd, Storrs, CT 06269, 8604862631, art.vanlear@uconn.edu

The current study is a part of a larger longitudinal research program on the relationships between supportive communication from AA and the short-term and long-term emotional quality of life (EQL) of recovering alcoholics. Although most studies of alcoholism recovery naturally focus on sobriety maintenance, EQL is given a central role in the alcoholism recovery process for several reasons. First, emotional state may be a key factor in alcohol relapse as there is a close association between addiction and emotion. Second, EQL is an important outcome in it's own right. The proposed study will focus on both the AA fellowship (the emotional benefits obtained from the social support available in AA) and the AA program (working the twelve steps) and their impact on EQL in sobriety. We hypothesized that the perceived support of the AA fellowship and an AA sponsor along with other sources of support (support from one's general social network, and support from one's significant other) will promote EQL for recovering alcoholics; and “working the steps” of the AA program improves one's personal relationships and, therefore social support and EQL for alcoholics in recovery. The rival model that EQL predicts social support is also tested. A structural equation model of the cross-sectional data and a three-wave cross-lag panel analysis is used in the current study to examine both the short-term and long-term impacts of AA on EQL among recovering alcoholics.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine the role of AA in improving emotional qualify of life among recovering alcoholics
• Examine the relationships between other possible sources of social support (such as one's general social network, and significant others) and emotional quality of life in the alcoholism recovery process

Keywords: Alcoholism, Quality of Life

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.