College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

Spring 6-10-2016

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Leonard Jason

Second Advisor

LaVome Robinson

Abstract

Formerly-incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders face many barriers upon release from prison. In order to avoid returning to substance use and prison, these individuals must successfully navigate the re-entry process, which includes finding adequate housing and avoiding substance use. As abstinence self-efficacy, or confidence to abstain from substance use, has been found to predict better substance use outcomes, it is important to understand the relation between housing situations and abstinence self-efficacy in formerly-incarcerated individuals. This study examined the role that time spent in various housing situations, including controlled, recovery, independent, precarious, and homeless situations, affect abstinence self-efficacy. Two hundred and seventy formerly-incarcerated individuals were surveyed about previous housing situations and abstinence self-efficacy after release from prison or inpatient substance use treatment. Models were estimated with both days spent in each of the above-named housing situations in the past 180 days and in the past 30 days. In the past 180 days, longer time spent in recovery housing situations was associated with increased abstinence self-efficacy, after controlling for length of sobriety. In the past 30 days, longer time spent in recovery situations was associated with increased abstinence self-efficacy, while longer time spent in precarious situations was associated with decreased abstinence self-efficacy. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

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