Measuring affiliation with 12-step groups

Seven measures, one of which was a weighted composite of the other six, were used to assess 12-step group affiliation among participants in a 120-day addiction treatment program. The participants completed the six affiliation indicators and three treatment satisfaction measures at the midpoint of their involvement in the program, after they had completed various sociodemographic and psychological measures at admission and before they were eligible for program completion. Compared to each of the six indicators, the composite measure was more robustly related to the sociodemographic, psychological, satisfaction, and program completion variables. Treatment and empirical implications were discussed.