Abstract
This paper describes psychosocial outcomes of an Indigenous residential substance abuse rehabilitation centre in Australia,
examines the sensitivity to change of the new Growth and Empowerment Measure (GEM), and explores the degree to which service
users value cultural components of the treatment program. Participants were 57 Indigenous and 46 non-Indigenous male clients
from Oolong House. Intake, 8-weeks, and 16-weeks (program completion) measures of Kessler 10 Psychological Distress Scale
(K10), Drug Taking Confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ-8), and GEM were completed. The Treatment Component Evaluation (TCE) was
completed at 16-weeks. There were significant improvements for participants, with a decrease in psychological distress and
increases in refusal self-efficacy and empowerment. Effect sizes for GEM were medium to large across the time-points (r = 0.61 to 0.70 for all four subscales from baseline to 8-weeks; r = 0.44 to 0.70 for three subscales from 8-weeks to 16-weeks), indicating sensitivity to change. Indigenous participants rated
cultural components of treatment significantly more helpful than did non-Indigenous participants. Implications for future
research and substance abuse interventions for Indigenous Australians are discussed.
examines the sensitivity to change of the new Growth and Empowerment Measure (GEM), and explores the degree to which service
users value cultural components of the treatment program. Participants were 57 Indigenous and 46 non-Indigenous male clients
from Oolong House. Intake, 8-weeks, and 16-weeks (program completion) measures of Kessler 10 Psychological Distress Scale
(K10), Drug Taking Confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ-8), and GEM were completed. The Treatment Component Evaluation (TCE) was
completed at 16-weeks. There were significant improvements for participants, with a decrease in psychological distress and
increases in refusal self-efficacy and empowerment. Effect sizes for GEM were medium to large across the time-points (r = 0.61 to 0.70 for all four subscales from baseline to 8-weeks; r = 0.44 to 0.70 for three subscales from 8-weeks to 16-weeks), indicating sensitivity to change. Indigenous participants rated
cultural components of treatment significantly more helpful than did non-Indigenous participants. Implications for future
research and substance abuse interventions for Indigenous Australians are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s11469-012-9393-2
- Authors
- Stacey L. Berry, Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, University of Wollongong, Building 22, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- T. P. Crowe, Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, University of Wollongong, Building 22, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- F. P. Deane, Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, University of Wollongong, Building 22, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- M. Billingham, Oolong Aboriginal Corporation Incorporated, 11 Junction Street, Nowra, NSW 2541, Australia
- Y. Bhagerutty, Oolong Aboriginal Corporation Incorporated, 11 Junction Street, Nowra, NSW 2541, Australia
- Journal International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
- Online ISSN 1557-1882
- Print ISSN 1557-1874