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08-01-2015 | Research Paper

Beyond Abstinence: An Examination of Psychological Well-Being in Members of Narcotics Anonymous

Authors: Christian DeLucia, Brandon G. Bergman, Danette Beitra, Hillary L. Howrey, Stephanie Seibert, Amy E. Ellis, Jessica Mizrachi

Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies | Issue 2/2016

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Abstract

While a growing body of literature supports the role of mutual help organizations in helping members achieve abstinence, fellowships other than Alcoholics Anonymous and outcomes beyond abstinence have been studied far less often. The current study examined recovery-related correlates of psychological well-being in a sample of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) members. Participants (N = 128) were self-identified NA members from across the United States who completed an online survey assessing an array of psychosocial outcomes. Hierarchical regression models assessed whether abstinence duration and other recovery-related variables accounted for significant incremental variance in psychological well-being, over and above several covariates. As a block, abstinence duration and the recovery predictors accounted for significant incremental variance in three of four psychological well-being domains. As a complement to studies on short-term benefits of mutual help organizations, these data suggest ongoing recovery involvement may be positively associated with subjective psychological well-being in NA members.

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Title: Beyond Abstinence: An Examination of Psychological Well-Being in Members of Narcotics Anonymous
Authors: Christian DeLucia
Brandon G. Bergman
Danette Beitra
Hillary L. Howrey
Stephanie Seibert
Amy E. Ellis
Jessica Mizrachi
Publication date: 08-01-2015
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies / Issue 2/2016
Print ISSN: 1389-4978
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7780
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-014-9609-1

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