IMPLICATIONS OF FAMILY AND PEER RELATIONS FOR TREATMENT ENGAGEMENT AND FOLLOW-UP OUTCOMES - AN INTEGRATIVE MODEL

An integrative analytic model was proposed to explain deviance in term s of the family of origin, perceived peer and family relations, psycho social functioning, motivation for treatment, and treatment engagement . The model was tested by using data from opioid-addicted persons who completed methadone treatment and were interviewed 1 year after discha rge. The hypothesized model was shown to fit the data for outcomes at follow-up. A history of poor family relations was related to perceived family dysfunction and peer deviance at treatment entry; these 2 fact ors in turn predicted poor psychosocial functioning, which was related to higher levels of motivation. Higher motivation was associated with greater treatment engagement, which was associated with reduced opioi d use and criminality. The importance of examining associations betwee n family and peer relations and posttreatment outcomes within the cont ext of treatment engagement is discussed.