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Family Functioning and Substance Use Severity among Adolescents upon Admission to Residential Substance Use Treatment

Mermelstein, Liza C.

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Clinical Psychology (Arts and Sciences).
Using the Circumplex Model of Family Systems (Olson, 1989; 2000; Olson & Gorall, 2006), this study sought to conceptualize family functioning patterns and examine the relationship between family functioning and substance use severity in adolescents admitted to a residential substance use treatment center. More problematic family functioning (i.e., greater family disengagement, rigidly, enmeshment and chaos) and less healthy family functioning (i.e., lower balanced cohesion and lower balanced flexibility) was observed in the current sample compared to a non-clinical comparison sample. Substance use severity was operationalized using the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory-Adolescent-2 (SASSI-A2) and three groups of substance users were established (Low Severity, Moderate Severity, and High Severity; Miller & Lazowski, 2001). After controlling for family member substance abuse, peer substance use and the impact of trauma, family cohesion level was significantly related to substance use severity group. Study findings suggest that family based interventions need to incorporate a wide range of problematic patterns and family cohesion, in particular, is an important family functioning pattern that should be addressed in interventions for adolescents in residential substance use treatment settings.
Bernadette Heckman, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
John Garske, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Julie Owens, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
112 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mermelstein, L. C. (2011). Family Functioning and Substance Use Severity among Adolescents upon Admission to Residential Substance Use Treatment [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1300302861

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mermelstein, Liza. Family Functioning and Substance Use Severity among Adolescents upon Admission to Residential Substance Use Treatment. 2011. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1300302861.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mermelstein, Liza. "Family Functioning and Substance Use Severity among Adolescents upon Admission to Residential Substance Use Treatment." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1300302861

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)