Open Collections

Hayes, Syler

University of British Columbia

With 49.8% of individuals returning to problematic substance use (McQuaid et al., 2017), more research is needed to decrease the frequency of returns to problematic substance use to, in turn, decrease the number of substance-related deaths. Previous research on problematic alcohol use has often focused on interventions to facilitate the transition from problematic use to non-problematic use (i.e., harm-reduction or abstinence-based interventions) and neglected the equally important process of maintaining non-problematic alcohol use. In the limited research on what helps to maintain non-problematic alcohol use, there are two competing models. The first is that identity transitions decrease risks of returning to problematic alcohol use (Best et al., 2016; Koski-Jannes, 2022). The second is that lifestyle (e.g., career) transitions decrease risks of returning to problematic alcohol use (Johansen et al., 2013; Klingemann, 2012). This study was the first to experimentally compare these models. This study involved designing two novel interventions to facilitate identity transitions and prepare individuals for career transitions. The Identity Transitions Matter (ITM) intervention is a modified version of Identity Matters (Kealy, 2016; Giannone et al., 2017), a possible-selves, group intervention. In contrast, the Planning Career Transitions (PCT) intervention is a modified version of Planning Ahead, a career-focused, group intervention. These interventions were compared using a Randomized Clinical Trial design. They were evaluated based on the reduction in risks of returning to problematic alcohol use, measured by the Advance WArning of RElapse measure (AWARE; Miller & Harris, 2000) and the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS; Flannery et al., 1999). There were no significant changes on either measure within or between the intervention groups. However, the PACS was able to significantly predict changes in the frequency of heavy drinking, supporting its use in this novel population. Post-hoc analyses of the intended mechanisms of change in each intervention were conducted and there was a significant increase in career competency for participants in PCT. The limited support for PCT and lack of significant change from ITM suggest further research is needed to understand how these mechanisms can be intentionally initiated.

Text

2024-12-02

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/89770

Counselling Psychology

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/