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Dissertation
Treatment outcome among methadone recipients: influence of perceived social support and orientation towards social support
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
May 2002
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00007925
Abstract
Opiate dependence has become a public health concern as it effects more than 800,000 Americans (Committee of Methadone Program Administrators [COMPA], 2000). Methadone maintenance is a common and effective treatment for opiate dependence yet polysubstance abuse and relapse to opiate use remain problematic (Strain, Stitzer, Liebson, & Bigelow, 1994). The stress buffering effect of perceived social support is an established construct that has been shown to increase adherence to treatment protocols and lower recidivism rates in health psychology. The role of perceived social support in methadone maintenance treatment has not been fully clarified. This study investigated the role of orientation towards social support in moderating the effects of perceived social support on treatment outcome among methadone maintenance recipients. Eighty new admissions to outpatient methadone maintenance were recruited to participate in this research. The first interview, approximately 1 week post-admission, inquired about such items as drug use, perceived social support, and orientation towards social support. Standard methadone maintenance treatment was available to all participants. The second interview, approximately 12 weeks post-admission, inquired about drug use and therapeutic alliance. Multiple regression analyses were used to test for an interaction of perceived social support and orientation towards social support in predicting the treatment outcomes of opiate use, polydrug use, length of time in treatment, and therapeutic alliance while controlling for potential confounds. Sixty-one participants completed follow-up interviews. There were no significant differences between completers and dropouts on demographic variables, predictor variables, or drug use severity. Opiate use and polysubstance use were significantly reduced following 12 weeks of methadone maintenance. The outcome measures of opiate use and polydrug use were not significantly predicted by expected covariates, perceived social support and orientation towards social support, or the interaction. Length of time in treatment was significantly predicted by methadone dose, a variable included in analyses as a covariate. Perceived social support, orientation towards social support, and the interaction did not significantly add to the prediction of length of time in treatment. Therapeutic alliance was significantly predicted by the interaction of perceived social support and orientation towards social support when the confound, years of education, was statistically controlled. The lack of a statistically significant relationship between social support and drug use is consistent with findings of prior research in this area. Explanations and implications of findings are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Treatment outcome among methadone recipients
- Creators
- Jennifer L. Smith
- Awarding Institution
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- iii, 114 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Clinical and Health Psychology [Historical]; Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University (1993-1996, 1998-2002); College of Nursing and Health Professions (2000-2002)
- Other Identifier
- 991021888765804721