E. Gail Horton

Racial Differences in the Effects of Age of Onset on Alcohol Consumption and Development of Alcohol-Related Problems Among Males from Mid-Adolescence to Young Adulthood

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of race and sixth-grade alcohol use onset status (yes vs. no) on 8th grade intensity of alcohol use, number of post-high school drinking days, number of drinks per post-high school drinking day, and the development of lifetime alcohol-related problems in a sample of African American and White non-Hispanic males. MANOVA results indicated that African Americans had lower levels of alcohol use in both adolescence and young adulthood, and developed fewer alcohol-related problems. Furthermore, onset of alcohol use before sixth grade appeared to have a stronger effect among African Americans than among their White non-Hispanic peers on 8th grade intensity of alcohol use, the number of drinks consumed per drinking day in young adulthood, and the development of alcohol-related problems in young adulthood.

Mental Health Characteristics of Social Work Students: Implications for Social Work Education

ABSTRACT No studies have examined to date the mental health and substance use characteristics of social work students. Therefore, this study was undertaken to describe and identify these characteristics among a sample of social work students located in a Florida school of social work. Results indicated that approximately 34% of the participants reported high levels of depressive symptoms, 12% had a history of suicidal ideation, and 4% reported having thought about suicide recently. Six percent reported high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology, and 3% were highly likely to have a dissociative disorder. High proportions of the students reported having multiple traumatic experiences. Students in this sample were less likely to report lifetime or current alcohol or marijuana use than national college student samples, but more likely to report lifetime or current use of illicit substances other than marijuana.

Longitudinal Effects of Family Factors on Alcohol Use among African American and White Non-Hispanic Males during Middle School.

ABSTRACT This study examined the longitudinal effects of five family factors (familism, parent derogation, parent–child communication, family alcohol problems, and family drug problems) on intensity of alcohol use among a sample of 451 African American and White non-Hispanic males from early to mid-adolescence (sixth through eighth grades). Results indicated that all of the family variables except family drug problems were statistically significant predictors of the level of alcohol use in mid-adolescence. Familism had a moderate influence on the dependent variable at both data points, while parent derogation, parent/child communication, and family alcohol problems were weaker predictors. Intensity of alcohol use in sixth grade, however, had the most influence on later levels of use.

Learning to Write and Writing to Learn Social Work Concepts: Application of Writing Across the Curriculum Strategies and Techniques to a Course for Undergraduate Social Work Students

Although writing is of great importance to effective social work practice, many students entering social work education programs experience serious academic difficulties related to writing effectively and thinking critically. The purpose of this article is to present an introductory social work course that integrates Writing Across the Curriculum pedagogical strategies into the social work curriculum. A brief description of Writing Across the Curriculum is provided, and teaching techniques used in the course, including reading and writing assignments, classroom writing instruction, testing, peer review, writing consultation, and grading rubrics, are described in detail.

A Content Analysis of Intervention Research in Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

It is imperative for the social work profession that the on-going schism between researchers and practitioners commented on in the literature for the past 40 years be effectively addressed. Doctoral programs are in a unique position to affect the production of research focusing on intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine if social work doctoral programs are currently successful in encouraging their doctoral candidates to engage in intervention research. A content analysis was conducted on 252 dissertation abstracts produced by social work doctoral students in 2006. Only 13.49% of the abstracts indicated a focus on social work intervention. The researchers argue that this finding indicates a need for a paradigm shift in social work education and practice.

Attachment Style, Spirituality, and Depressive Symptoms Among Individuals in Substance Abuse Treatment

ABSTRACT. Adult attachment styles and spirituality have been shown to be protective factors against depressive symptoms among individuals in treatment for substance use disorders. However, no studies to date have examined how these two factors simultaneously are related to depressive symptomatology in this population. Thus, this study aimed to examine how adult attachment styles (secure vs. insecure attachment styles) and 2 distinct spirituality dimensions (existential purpose and meaning in life and religious well-being or the perceived relationship with God) are associated with depressive symptoms. Using a cross-sectional design, 77 individuals receiving substance abuse treatment were asked to complete a battery of self-report questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that secure attachment style and higher levels of existential purpose and meaning in life were significantly related to lower levels of depressive symptoms whereby the existential purpose and meaning in life was a stronger predictor of depressive symptoms. These results suggest that practitioners may consider addressing attachment issues during treatment; however, emphasizing ways to increase individuals’ purpose and meaning in life may further enhance treatment outcomes. Future research should utilize a larger sample size, include more comprehensive measures of attachment styles, and explore ways to increase purpose and meaning in life in this population.

Associations Between Spirituality, Meaning in Life, and Depressive Disorders Among a Sample of Individuals in Treatment for Substance-Use Disorders

ABSTRACT This study explored the relationships between spirituality (existential purpose and meaning and religious well-being), meaning in life (presence and search), and three mood disorders among individuals in residential treatment for substance-use disorders. Results indicated that existential well-being was a significant predictor of both for major depressive disorder and dysthymia symptomatology. Religious well-being and search for meaning in life were significant predictors of bipolar symptomatology. Thus, development of purpose and meaning in life is indicated for co-occurring major depressive disorder or dysthymia and substance abuse, while finding support in a religious community may benefit those with co-occurring bipolar disorder.

Spirituality in the treatment of substance use disorders: Proposing the Three-legged Stool as a model for intervention

ABSTRACT Spirituality is a multidimensional construct that is considered to be a protective factor in the treatment of addictions. However, because there has been little agreement regarding the conceptualization of this complex construct, it has been difficult to operationalize spirituality in clinical settings so that its protective value can be maximized. This article presents a preliminary framework—the Three-legged Stool—to help therapists structure their spiritual interventions. The three “legs” of the spiritual “stool” consist of service (helping others), solitude (contemplative prayer and meditation) and creativity (creative arts and play therapy techniques). The authors begin by explaining the origin of the framework as it arose from their research and practice experiences. They conceptualize the different components of the framework and present support for the inclusion of each leg with a review of the theoretical and empirical literature. Because this framework has not been tested empirically, the addictions research and treatment communities are asked to explore its strengths, limitations, and usefulness and to engage in conversations about how to utilize and improve the framework.

Exploring the Relationships between Spirituality and Personality Disorder Traits among a Sample of In-Patients in Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

Personality disorders (PD) complicate the treatment of individuals with substance use disorders. Spirituality has been shown to be a protective factor in the treatment of addiction but very little research has explored how spirituality may differ among individuals in treatment for substance use issues who present with clinical and non-clinical levels of PD traits. This study examined the relationship between spirituality and PD traits among 305 clients recruited from a residential substance abuse treatment center. Results indicated that the existential well-being dimension of spirituality was a statistically significant predictor of most PD trait levels. In addition, the religious well-being dimension was a statistically significant predictor of Narcissistic traits. However, the clinical significance of these results may be limited due to the relatively low amount of variance in PD trait levels explained by the spirituality dimensions. Clinical implications for the treatment of individuals experiencing comorbid PDs and substance use disorders were discussed highlighting the potential benefit of focusing on therapeutic techniques that would help these clients develop existential well-being in their lives rather than a relationship with a Higher Power.

A Framework for Addressing Spirituality in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: The Three-Legged Stool

Although spirituality has long been considered to be a protective factor in the treatment of substance use disorders, little has been done to operationalize the various dimensions of spirituality in clinical settings. The aim of this paper was to propose a framework – the three-legged stool – to act as a structure for spiritual interventions. The “stool” consists of three “legs”: creativity (creative arts and play therapy techniques), service (helping others), and solitude (contemplative prayer and meditation). The components of the framework are explained and support for the inclusion of each leg is offered.