Abstract
Currently, studies exploring the relationship between treatment expectations (TE) and outcome among individuals with substance
use problems are significantly lacking. This is important as relapse and attrition rates among this group are greater than
those with other psychological problems. Understanding how TE impact treatment outcomes among this group would provide information
to clinicians about which TE to intervene in order to positively influence treatment outcomes. Thus, this eight-month follow-up
study investigated TE that could predict treatment outcomes (i.e., clients’ substance use, mood states, number of treatment
sessions received and clients’ satisfaction with the service they received) among 130 outpatients with substance use problems.
Using binary logistic regression, age, gender and TE were entered as predictors of treatment outcomes. Results showed that
those that had higher expectations about taking responsibility and being open in counseling were more likely to report improvements
in their main substance of concern. Furthermore, those that had higher expectations for a positive outcome from counseling
were more likely to improve their mood especially depression levels. Although TE could not predict attrition, younger clients
were more likely to leave treatment without notice or against advice, receive less treatment sessions and be less satisfied
with the treatment they received. Individuals that had higher expectations of being open in counseling and for clinicians’
to self-disclosure were more likely to be satisfied with the treatment they received. The findings not only have clinical
implications but also implications in relation to developing policies for clinicians working with clients with substance use
problems as well as conducting further research in this area.
use problems are significantly lacking. This is important as relapse and attrition rates among this group are greater than
those with other psychological problems. Understanding how TE impact treatment outcomes among this group would provide information
to clinicians about which TE to intervene in order to positively influence treatment outcomes. Thus, this eight-month follow-up
study investigated TE that could predict treatment outcomes (i.e., clients’ substance use, mood states, number of treatment
sessions received and clients’ satisfaction with the service they received) among 130 outpatients with substance use problems.
Using binary logistic regression, age, gender and TE were entered as predictors of treatment outcomes. Results showed that
those that had higher expectations about taking responsibility and being open in counseling were more likely to report improvements
in their main substance of concern. Furthermore, those that had higher expectations for a positive outcome from counseling
were more likely to improve their mood especially depression levels. Although TE could not predict attrition, younger clients
were more likely to leave treatment without notice or against advice, receive less treatment sessions and be less satisfied
with the treatment they received. Individuals that had higher expectations of being open in counseling and for clinicians’
to self-disclosure were more likely to be satisfied with the treatment they received. The findings not only have clinical
implications but also implications in relation to developing policies for clinicians working with clients with substance use
problems as well as conducting further research in this area.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s11469-011-9358-x
- Authors
- Namrata Raylu, Northern Sydney Central Coast Drug Alcohol & Gambling Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Inderjit Kaur, Northern Sydney Central Coast Drug Alcohol & Gambling Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Journal International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
- Online ISSN 1557-1882
- Print ISSN 1557-1874