A Reality Therapy-Based Group Intervention for Probationers With Substance Use: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Addiction Studies
• Forensic Psychology

Background:

• Individuals on probation for substance use often face challenges with psychological needs, locus of control, and responsibility.
• Reality Therapy-based group intervention (RTBGI) is a potential therapeutic approach for this population.
• Understanding intervention effectiveness requires exploring changes in psychological constructs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore changes in psychological need satisfaction, locus of control, and responsibility in probationers undergoing RTBGI.
• To compare outcomes between a treatment group receiving RTBGI and a comparison group receiving standard psychoeducation.
• To investigate participants' subjective experiences of the intervention.

Main Methods:

• Explanatory sequential mixed-methods design combining quantitative and qualitative data.
• Quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a treatment (n=17) and comparison (n=8) group.
• Quantitative analysis using Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests, supplemented by Bayesian analyses; qualitative analysis through semi-structured interviews.

Main Results:

• The treatment group showed pretest-posttest changes in psychological needs (power, fun) and responsibility.
• Between-group differences in change scores were not strongly supported, with weak evidence from Bayes factors.
• Qualitative data revealed participants' experiences of need exploration, locus of control shifts, and perceived distancing from substance use.

Conclusions:

• RTBGI shows preliminary, exploratory evidence of influencing psychological need satisfaction and responsibility in probationers.
• Further research with larger samples is needed to confirm the efficacy of RTBGI for this population.
• The intervention appears to facilitate participants' engagement with their psychological needs and responsibility in relation to substance use.