Interpersonal Climate of 12-Step Groups Predicts Reductions in Alcohol Use

Abstract

Research has shown that increases in the size of abstinence-based social networks helps explain the association between 12-Step attendance and increased abstinence. This study investigated whether the quality of social interaction in 12-Step groups also predicts reduced substance use. Participants reported their perceptions of engagedness, avoidance, and conflict in their 12-Step groups and their substance use in four assessments. Results showed that perceptions of group engagedness, but not avoidance or conflict, decreased over time. Despite this, engagedness predicted increased 12-Step-related behavior and decreased alcohol use. Findings suggest that positive group interaction plays an important role in 12-Step affiliates' recovery efforts.

KEYWORDS:

• 12-Step
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• group climate
• abstinence-based social network

Notes

This research was supported by grants K02-AA00326, R21-AA016974, and T32 AA0018108-01A1 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Note. ^† p < .06

*p < .05

**p ≤ .001.

Note. *p < .05

**p ≤ .001.