Clinical studies

Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
The purpose of this research study was to determine the effects of Fostering
Resilience™ (FR), a new integrative relapse prevention group protocol for improving
relapse risk, internalized shame, and psychological well-being in adults with substance
use disorders (SUD). This study also sought to identify any relationship among relapse
risk, internalized shame, and psychological well-being. It is the first study to investigate
the new FR manualized program model compared to treatment as usual (TAU). The FR
model was created based upon direct client experience, the supposition of the intrinsic
role shame plays in SUD, and the corresponding belief in the essential value of
implementing shame reduction techniques for improving treatment outcomes.
Participants were 43 adults with SUD (19 FR and 24 TAU) seeking outpatient treatment.
All participants received the 8-week intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment, with the FR
group receiving 16 sessions of the manualized FR relapse prevention group protocol in lieu of other TAU group options. Assessments were administered pre and postintervention.
Results indicated that the FR treatment group produced a significant reduction in
relapse risk (p = .002, ES = .825), shame (p = .004, ES = .763), and psychological wellbeing
(p = .008, ES = .679) from baseline to post-intervention, while the TAU
comparison group produced a non-significant improvement in relapse risk (p = .209, ES =
.264), shame (p = 055, ES = .409) and psychological well-being (p = .088, ES = .456).
Correlation results indicated highly significant correlations between all the dependent
variables. All correlations dropped post-intervention, although remained significant. The
strongest relationship was found between shame and relapse risk at baseline: ALL (n =
43, r = .880), FR (n = 19, r = .869), TAU (n = 24, r = .908). This preliminary study
establishes support for the new FR model as a beneficial treatment for significantly
improving relapse risk, internalized shame, and psychological well-being in adults with
SUD. It also provides important knowledge and insight regarding the critical nature of
shame and its role relative to relapse risk and psychological well-being in those with
SUD.