Rudy Arredondo

A New Comprehensive Measure of EAP Satisfaction: A Factor Analysis

Abstract This report is a follow-up to the article entitled, “Two outcome measures of EAP satisfaction: A factor analysis” (Shumway, Dersch, Harris, & Arredondo, 2000), which appeared in Employee Assistance Quarterly, Volume 16, Number 4. The previous article described the process of creating a new measure of EAP satisfaction. The current article describes the process of testing the psychometric rigor of this new measure. The results from a factor analysis are reported, and considerations for the inclusion of items are described. The result is a comprehensive yet parsimonious measure of EAP client satisfaction that includes a new family/relational scale as well as some outcome-related variables.

An Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Attention Deficit Scales for Adults with Outpatient Substance Abusers

A growing body of research has established a high co-morbidity in the rates of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance abuse. The co-occurrence of these two conditions and the negative impact of untreated ADHD on the course and treatment of substance abuse highlights the need for ADHD assessment in individuals seeking substance abuse treatment. In this article, we investigated the clinical utility of the Attention Deficit Scales for Adults (ADSA) in a sample of substance abusers in an outpatient treatment program by assessing its sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and likelihood ratios at two potential cut-off levels (161 and 181) using a DSM-IV based ADHD diagnosis as the criterion. The ADSA had strong reliability (Cronbachs alpha. 93; Guttman split-half. 92) and correlated well with DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Sensitivity and specificity of the device were relatively strong at both cut-off levels, as were the positive and negative predictive values.

A Need for Marriage and Family Services: A Survey of Employee Assistance Program Client Problems and Needs.

Abstract At intake for services from a comprehensive employee assistance program, clients (N = 3589, 14.2% referred by supervisor) indicated how much family, psychological/emotional, drug, alcohol, employment-related, legal, and medical problems troubled them and rated their need for services in each of these areas. Two thirds of clients rated their psychological/emotional and family problems and need for services as “considerable” or “extreme,” and 48.6% of clients rated both problem areas as “considerable” or “extreme.” These findings indicate the need for expanded employee assistance services for couples and families.

Implementing a substance abuse curriculum in a medical school.

Recent attention to the need for integration of substance abuse education throughout medical education prompted this description of one such program.

A Study of Substance Use in Women in the West Texas U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System

ABSTRACT Previous studies have shown an association between substance use in the corrections population and, though the overall probation population has been declining, the percentage of women on probation has significantly increased. This study collected data on the factors associated with substance use and criminality among West Texas women who were sentenced to the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System (USPPSS). Intake records for USPPSS adult women spanning 3 years were reviewed. Among all age distributions and demographics, alcohol use was found to be prevalent. A significant positive correlation was found between immediate and extended family use of alcohol or drugs. Approximately one third of women reported a lifetime history of psychiatric treatment and three fourths reported a lifetime history of emotional/verbal, physical, and/or sexual abuse. The significant association with alcohol and substance use among these women should be addressed when determining probation planning and social services. Furthermore, the high incidence of emotional/verbal, physical and/or sexual abuse, and suicidality in this population would recommend an approach that includes provision of adequate mental health services.

Enhancing Teams in the Workplace: A New Model of Team-Building

Abstract This article explores the literature on team-building, including its application to employee assistance programs and the relevant theories discussed within the field. In addition, the paper applies family systems theory, particularly experiential family therapy and structural family therapy, to team enhancing. The authors outline a model for team-enhancing that employee assistance professionals can use directly with the organizations they serve. The team-enhancing model consists of three phases: (1) Initial Contact and Assessment; (2) Team Assembly; and (3) Accountability and Follow-Up. The first phase is brief, with no sub-stages. Phase two consists of four stages. The third phase incorporates an accountability stage that offers the option of convening future team assemblies (i.e., meetings) to continue the team-enhancing process.

Two Outcome Measures of EAP Satisfaction: A Factor Analysis

Abstract Data were collected from two different EAPs, one in upstate New York and the other in west Texas. The psychometric properties of these data are measured and described. The results from a factor analysis of each measure are reported, and considerations for the inclusion of items into a new client satisfaction instrument are described. The refined measure includes the best of the two instruments that were initially used. The result is a comprehensive yet parsimonious measure of EAP client satisfaction that includes a new family/relational scale and outcome related variables.