The general environment fit scale: a factor analysis and test of convergent construct validity

Area of Science:

• Community Psychology
• Addiction Recovery
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Person-environment fit (P-E fit) is a key concept in community psychology.
• Most P-E fit research originates from industrial/organizational psychology and business fields.
• Oxford House is a network of mutual-help addiction recovery homes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the validity of the GEFS, a P-E fit measure, in an addiction recovery setting.
• To examine the relationship between P-E fit and resident satisfaction and intended stay at Oxford House.

Main Methods:

• Administered the GEFS P-E fit measure to 246 Oxford House residents and alumni.
• Conducted confirmatory factor analysis and convergent construct validity analyses.
• Examined the predictive validity of P-E fit dimensions on satisfaction and intended duration of stay.

Main Results:

• The GEFS measure demonstrated adequate fit to the data and limited validity.
• Sufficient provision of resident needs and perceived similarity to housemates predicted satisfaction.
• Perceived similarity to housemates was the sole predictor of intended length of stay.

Conclusions:

• The GEFS measure shows potential for use in addiction recovery environments.
• P-E fit, particularly perceived similarity, is crucial for satisfaction and commitment in recovery housing.
• Findings contribute to understanding P-E fit within community psychology and addiction recovery contexts.