Do adolescents affiliate with 12-step groups? A multivariate process model of effects

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Substance Use Research
• Addiction Treatment Efficacy
• Psychological Intervention Studies

Background:

• Adolescent 12-step program attendance shows positive effects on substance use.
• Few studies explore 12-step affiliation (active involvement) beyond attendance in adolescents.
• Adult research indicates affiliation is a stronger predictor than attendance.

Purpose of the Study:

• Assess factors influencing adolescent 12-step attendance and affiliation.
• Determine if 12-step affiliation predicts outcomes beyond attendance.
• Examine if motivation, coping, and self-efficacy mediate the affiliation-outcome link.

Main Methods:

• Interviewed 74 adolescent inpatients (14-18 years) during treatment and at 3 and 6 months postdischarge.
• Assessed substance involvement, motivation for abstinence, attendance, and affiliation with 12-step groups.
• Analyzed mediation effects of psychological factors on substance use outcomes.

Main Results:

• Youth with higher substance involvement showed more motivation and greater 12-step attendance/affiliation.
• High correlation between attendance and affiliation meant affiliation didn't uniquely predict outcomes.
• Motivation was found to influence the relationship between 12-step affiliation and subsequent substance use.

Conclusions:

• Active involvement in 12-step programs did not predict better substance use outcomes for adolescents beyond attendance alone.
• Motivation plays a role in how 12-step affiliation impacts adolescent substance use.
• Further research is needed to identify effective aspects of 12-step programs for adolescents or alternative interventions.