Article
Relational Health in Transitions: Female Adolescents in Chemical Dependency Treatment
Substance Use & Misuse
(2018)
Abstract
Background: Adolescent substance use (SU) remains a serious problem. Inpatient, primary care, and self-treatment models for chemical dependency (CD) yield varying degrees of success impacting the sequelae of chronic or episodic SU. Relational engagement among adolescent substance users is a long known influential factor in the development, maintenance and transformation of addictive behaviors. Objectives: Following tenets of Relational-Cultural Theory and using the Relational Health Indices for Youth (RHI-Y), a validated survey tool for adolescents, we sought to measure relational health (RH) during times of transitions during CD treatment. This article addresses use of the tool and its potential for improving addictions research and practice. Methods: During 2015–2017 we explored differences in RH scores in adolescent girls entering inpatient CD treatment at three points: 51 at admission, 39 at discharge, and 13 at 3 months post-discharge. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model to compare changes in domain scores of RH. Results: Changes in RH scores were significant in the friend domain, but not the mentor and community domains. The RHI-Y shows promise in discerning RH change during transitions in CD treatment.
Keywords
- Adolescents,
- chemical dependency,
- relational health,
- inpatient,
- addictions treatment
Disciplines
Publication Date
2018
DOI
10.1080/10826084.2017.1408655
Citation Information
Roxanne Vandermause. "Relational Health in Transitions: Female Adolescents in Chemical Dependency Treatment" Substance Use & Misuse Vol. 53 Iss. 8 (2018) p. 1353 - 1360 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/roxanne-vandermause/21/