Initial Therapeutic Alliance and Treatment Engagement of Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Youths in a Residential Treatment Center for Substance Abuse

Abstract

This study examined the association between counselor- and client-rated initial therapeutic alliance and treatment engagement for youths who completed a residential substance abuse treatment program. Group differences between Aboriginal (N = 16) and non-Aboriginal (N = 29) youths were explored. Counselors reported a strong initial therapeutic alliance with all youths; however, Aboriginal youths did not perceive this connection with their counselor to the same extent as non-Aboriginal youths. A difference also emerged between the groups in treatment engagement. Counselors perceived Aboriginal adolescents as engaging in more negative treatment participation. These results provide preliminary data to help inform cross-cultural practice.

Keywords:

• adolescents
• substance use
• residential treatment
• therapeutic alliance
• treatment engagement
• cross-cultural differences