Purpose in Life: A Mediating Variable Between Involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous and Long-Term Recovery

ABSTRACT

This study proposed that the spiritual variable, purpose in life (PIL), has a significant mediating role within the empirically documented causative relationship between long-term sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and AA involvement. A representative sample of 78 participants, drawn from AA clubs located across the United States, was used in the study. Stepwise regression results showed PIL as a significant contributor to AA involvement, confirming the findings of previous studies. Baron and Kenny's (1986) regression analysis for mediation, however, did not support PIL as a mediator between AA involvement and long-term sobriety. It was concluded that the complexity of the AA involvement construct likely confounds the contribution of PIL to length of sobriety. Further research is needed to clarify the role of PIL in AA involvement.

KEYWORDS:

• Purpose in life
• mediating variable
• AA involvement
• sobriety

Notes

∗p < .05, two-tailed.

∗∗p < .01, two-tailed.

^aSimple regression result with AAI as the independent variable and LOS as the criterion.

^bSimple regression result with PIL as the independent variable and AAI as the criterion.

^cMultiple regression result with PIL and AAI as the independent variables and LOS as the criterion.

^aSimple regression result with PIL as the independent variable and AAI as the criterion.

^bSimple regression result with SS as the independent variable and PIL as the criterion.

^cMultiple regression result with SS and PIL as the independent variables and AAI as the criterion.