4095.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - Board 5

Abstract #5605

Impact of structural and functional components of social support on chemical dependency treatment outcomes received in two different treatment-managing systems

Kelly J. Brown, PhD and Roy M. Gabriel, PhD. RMC Research Corporation, 522 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Suite 1407, Portland, OR 97204-2131, 503 223-8248, kelly_brown@rmccorp.com

The recognition that social support mediates chemical dependency treatment outcomes is not new. The relative contribution of the different components of social support with respect to diverse domains of pre-treatment severity and post-treatment functioning, however, is not clear. To address this question, secondary analyses were conducted on self-report data collected from 331 publicly funded clients receiving chemical dependency treatment in two different treatment-managing systems (i.e., managed-care, fee-for–service). Three structured interviews were conducted at six-month intervals and included six sub-scales of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). Composite indices of structural and functional social support were created from 6 of 13 individual items from the original protocol using factor analysis. Analyses indicated that structural and functional components of social support differentially predicted domains of functioning at baseline, when clients entered treatment, and at 12 months post-treatment entry but not at 6 months. Specifically, baseline structural support scores are predictive of baseline employment status and 12-month alcohol status, whereas baseline functional support scores are predictive of baseline mental health status and 12-month legal status. In addition, 6-month structural support scores are predictive of 12-month medical and employment scores. In general, these results suggest that structural and functional components of social support mediate different dimensions of life functioning both before and after chemical dependency treatment. These findings provide further evidence for treatment-managing systems to encourage treatment providers to closely monitor the living situations of clients throughout the treatment process and to aid clients in finding suitable living arrangements and caring environments when necessary.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to describe the importance of suitable living arrangements and caring environments on chemical dependency treatment outcomes

Keywords: Treatment Outcomes, Quality of Life

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA