Research Update

Christopher R. Beasley, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Washington College

• Attendance Seems Related to Abstinence

– Possibly through motivation and coping skills

• Working Steps Seems Related to Abstinence

• Spirituality Seems Indirectly Related to

Abstinence

– Increasing 12-step involvement

– Increasing affiliation

– Increasing engagement in 12-step practices

• Social Support Appears Related to Abstinence

– Social networks may explain much of AA effect

12-Step Involvement Measure

• Existing Measures Lacking Individual 12-Step

Components

• Different Types May Have Different Influences &

Outcomes

– Social Involvement with Life Satisfaction & Happiness

– Spiritual Involvement w/ Life Satisfaction & Life

Meaning in Life

12-Step Involvement Measure

• Openness– Seeks and is open to new experiences

• Conscientiousness– Dependable and self-disciplined

• Extraversion– Outgoing & enthusiastic

• Agreeableness– Sympathetic, warm, and selfless

• Neuroticism– Emotionality

Personality Study

• Openness

– Spiritual Involvement

• Conscientiousness

– Principles Involvement

• Extraversion

– Social Involvement

Personality Study

• Fist Study

– Comparison of OH to Usual Care

– 150 Chicago-Area Participants

– Interviewed for Two Years

• Second Study

– National Survey 2012-2013

– About 300 Participants

– Houses Selected at Random

12-Step Involvement Measure

• Components

– Principles Involvement

– Social Involvement

– Spiritual Involvement

• Related to 12-Step Affiliation

• 2-Year Abstinence

– Overall Involvement

– Social Involvement

12-Step Involvement Measure

• Multiple Facets to 12-Step Involvement

• Different Influences & Outcomes

12-Step Involvement Measure

• Service to Others

• Oxford House Involvement– House

– Chapter

– State

– National

• Oxford House Census

• Focus Groups– Convention

– Facebook

– Online Video Confencing• Skype

• Google+

Future Research