An Exploratory Analysis of Changes in Self-Regulation and Social Support Among Men and Women in Recovery

Abstract

The current quantitative study focused on the relationships between self-regulation and social support among individuals recovering from addictive disorders. Participants (317 men, 152 women; M age = 39.0 years) resided in one of 143 communal living, democratically governed, abstinent homes located across the United States. Data on self-regulation were collected at a baseline assessment and 8 months later. Participants’ self-regulation scores, on average, increased with time, and the self-regulation change scores were significantly related to general social support measured at the baseline assessment. In addition, change in self-regulation scores were associated with the participant's social network's general social support and support for drinking where higher levels of general support and support for drinking were accompanied by larger self-regulation increases. This positive relationship between support for drinking and self-discipline was not predicted.

KEYWORDS:

• Oxford House
• recovery homes
• self-regulation
• social support

Funding for this study was made possible in part through the National Institute on Drug Abuse grants #5F31DA16037 and #R01DA13231. The authors express gratitude to Meg Davis for supervising data collection and to Josefina Alvarez and David Groh for advice on data analysis.