Evaluating Perceptions of Working Alliance and Crisis Stabilization for Adolescent Males in Residential Treatment for Substance Abuse: A Time-Series Analysis

Abstract

Research related to adolescents in residential treatment for substance use is limited. Evaluations identifying treatment progress across frequent, multiple time points are scant. In this study 20 adolescent males (age M = 16.46, SD = 1.04) in residential treatment for substance use completed self-report inventories related to working alliance, problem severity, well-being, and crisis stabilization across 10 weeks. Small, statistically significant reductions in problem severity and improved well-being were noted. No statistically significant changes were noted with measures of the working alliance, well-being, and crisis stabilization, with small to medium effect sizes and unimproved conditions with no clinical significance. Therapeutic gains were evident for adolescent males working through issues related to chronic substance abuse in residential treatment, as indicated by a statistically significant reduction in problem severity with a moderate effect and slight improvement with limited clinical significance. The working alliance appeared to have some influence on treatment gains. This study represents an evaluation from a single site to help illuminate the challenges of residential treatment for substance use and potential perceptions of adolescent males in this level of care.

Keywords:

• Adolescents
• males
• residential treatment
• substance use
• working alliance

Disclosure Statement

The authors have no known conflict of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard S. Balkin

Richard S. Balkin, PhD, LPC, NCC, is a Professor and Doctoral Program Coordinator in Counselor Education at The University of Mississippi.

G. Michael Russo

G. Michael Russo, MS, P-LPC (MS), NCC, BCN-Associate Fellow, is a doctoral student in Counselor Education at The University of Mississippi.