The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68139

Paul J. Toriello, RhD¹, Stephanie Roahen-Harrison, MPH², Katherine Bevans, MA³, Patricia J. Kissinger, PhD², Janet Rice, PhD⁴, Edward V Morse, PhD⁵, Patricia Morse, LCSW, PhD⁶, Linton Carney, JD⁷, Mary Craighead, MSW⁸, Melanie Steen-Sighinolfi, MA⁹, and Richard Ager, PhD⁸. (1) Louisiana State University Health Services Center, 1900 Gravier St. Box G6-2, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-568-5116, ptorie@lsuhsc.edu, (2) School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street Ste. 2000, New Orleans, LA 70112, (3) Psychology, Tulane University, St Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118, (4) Tulane University SPHTM, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, (5) Department of Pediatrics SL-37, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112, (6) Department of Psychiatry, LSU Health Sciences Center, 1542 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112, (7) AIDS Law of Louisiana, 144 Elk Place Suite 1530, New Orleans, LA 70112, (8) School of Social Work, Tulane University, St Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118, (9) Practice Improvement Collaborative, The Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 3520 Gen DeGaulle Dr., New Orleans, LA 70114

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of substance abuse professionals' clinical orientations and other key background variables (e.g., education level, gender, race) with their readiness to change counseling interventions.

Method: Substance abuse professionals, who were participants in a SAMHSA CSAT-funded Practice Improvement Collaborative, were surveyed about their demographics, beliefs about addiction and counseling processes, as well as their readiness to change counseling interventions. An exploratory factor analysis of participants' beliefs about addiction, as measured by the Short Version of the Understanding of Alcoholism Scale (SUSS), revealed two factors: disease and psychosocial orientations.

Results: Of the 316 individuals participating in a mail out survey, 77.5% responded (N=245). Respondents were 67.7% female, 57.4% African American, 24.7% in recovery and 52% held a graduate degree. In multivariate linear regression, reporting beliefs consistent with a psychosocial orientation toward substance abuse counseling, female gender, and African American race were positively associated with readiness to change counseling interventions (P<0.05). Other factors considered in the model but not statistically associated with readiness to change were disease model orientation, education level, recovery status of the participant, and years of experience as a substance abuse professional.

Conclusions: A psychosocial clinical orientation to substance abuse counseling is positively related to readiness to change counseling interventions. Further, females and African Americans are more likely than males and non-African Americans to report higher levels of readiness to change. The present results have implications for training and promoting best practices among substance abuse professionals.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
• Discuss the various clinical orientations of substance abuse professionals;
• Discern the impact clinical orientation has on readiness to change counseling interventions; and
• Establish a plan for working with substance abuse professionals to improve their skills and adopt innovation.

Keywords: Evidence Based Practice, Organizational Change

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.