Predictors of adolescent A. A. affiliation

Alcoholics who receive treatment in in-patient settings are routinely referred to Alcoholics Anonymous upon discharge, yet not all affiliate with A.A. The characteristics of A.A. affiliators have been explored in the past to further improve discharge planning, but to date no studies have described the characteristics of adolescents who affiliate with A.A. The sample used in this study was 70 adolescents who had completed in-patient treatment and were contacted as part of a follow-up survey. Half of the group had affiliated with A.A. A discriminant analysis was used to predict affiliation, and the study found that affiliators were more likely to have had prior treatment, had friends who did not use drugs, had less parental involvement while in treatment, and more feelings of hopelessness. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed as well as areas for further research.