Thesis (D. Min.)--Western Seminary, Portland, OR, 2008. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 318-329).

Against the backdrop of debates and contestations in the literature on the efficacy of interventions of Faith-based organisations (FBOs) with regard to vulnerable people, this study subjects the social reintegration programmes of three selected FBOs working with recovering drug-addicts in South-western Nigeria to a sociological scrutiny so as to understand the social character, effectiveness and local appropriateness of their programmes. Specifically, the study examined the key attributes of the social reintegration programmes offered by the selected FBOs as well as the level and extent of compliance of such programmes with the prescriptions and idealisations as enunciated in relevant global and national policies and institutional frameworks. The theoretical underpinning of this study was derived from assumptions of structural-functionalism of Durkheim and Expectancy disconfirmation theory. Adopting an exploratory approach, the study utilised a blend of survey, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, observation and document review to gather data. Survey data were collected from a random sample of 156 inmates of the social reintegration facilities of three (3) FBOs in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states in South-West Nigeria. Qualitative data were sourced through 15 in-depth interviews, 9 key informant interviews and scientific information generated from observation and document review. The quantitative data gathered were analysed using descriptive statistics, while the qualitative data were processed with the use of content analysis. Findings from the study indicate that the selected FBOs have only recorded little success in terms of addressing the social needs of the inmates. For one thing, FBOs’ detoxification programme for recovering drug-addicts tilted more towards human rights violation than serve as an exercise that aided recovery. One key finding was that there was a huge disconnect between global prescriptions on social reintegration services and what the selected FBOs offered to the inmates. The study concluded from its findings that any social reintegration programmes aimed at protecting recovering drug-addicts from further social exclusion and facilitate their social inclusion in South-West Nigeria must extend beyond mere spiritual provisioning to upholding their rights to human dignity and providing opportunities and tools that address their crucial social needs in terms of housing, education, vocation and employment.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine from the treated students' perspective what teacher behaviors facilitate recovery and what teacher behaviors inhibit recovery. Study participants included 16 high school students who had completed treatment for alcohol and drug dependency in grades 9-12, and 112 teachers. Students and teachers were interviewed to better explain the phenomenon from their perspectives. Data gathered from student interviews, student journal recordings, observer notes, and teacher interviews were used as corroborating data. The constant comparative method was used to analyze data (Glaser & Strauss, 1967).Five major themes emerged from the data analysis explaining the effects of teacher behavior on students who had completed treatment for drug and alcohol dependency. The data were segmented into themes using a bi-polar structure. These themes were: (1) student performance; (2) student communication; (3) student relations: security; (4) student: affective; and, (5) authority: student behavior. These themes yielded student identified causal conditions, intervening conditions, and action/reaction strategies that either inhibited or facilitated recovery.The data showed students did not have neutral feelings; they had either negative or positive feelings about their personal interactions with teachers or their observations of teachers' interaction with other teachers and/or other students. Teacher behaviors which resulted in negative student behavior consequences in each of the five major theme categories were not helpful to students and inhibited their recovery. Teacher behaviors which resulted in positive student behavior consequences in each of the five major theme categories helped students and facilitated their recovery.

The purpose of this study was to gather insights from recovering (from addictions) Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) at Pathway to Recovery, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, who have participated in a pilot family addictions treatment group. This research gives evidence on the group counseling support that ACA group members reported they received and/or determined they needed to receive regarding: their (1) addictions and recovery; (2) specific family of origin roles; and (3) basic ACA issues; as well as information needed to continue living a healthy, productive, drug-free life-style, and; the assistance counselors/therapists could give in this endeavor.A case study methodology was used for this research. Eight informants were purposively selected from a total of 45 ACA group members. Three interviews were conducted with each of the eight informants. Retrospective, structured, and semi-structured interviews, as described by Fraenkel and Wallen (1996) were utilized. Since an interview guide was unavailable for use in this study, one was created.The following four conclusions were drawn from the results of this study:1. The evidence collected suggests that the eight informants benefited from the three-pronged (addictions, ACA issues, specific family role) Recovery, Inc.2. The evidence (detailed in Chapter Four) indicated that many of the actions described herein assisted informants after leaving the ACA group and that the group was responsible for many of the positive changes.3. Accepting oneself was identified most often as the step needed to achieve and maintain sobriety.4. Learning about family issues and studying childhood behaviors may be painful as well as helpful.Results of this study were not generalized beyond these eight informants. However, this study contributed new information to the field of addictions and family roles research by describing the actions, behaviors, thoughts and feelings of these eight informants. / Department of Educational Leadership

Graphic images of meth addicts have swept across Montana in television, radio and print ads as part of the state's latest anti-drug campaign, the Montana Meth Project. From a labeling perspective, the negative portrayal of meth addicts in these ads has significant implications for meth addicts in terms of their reintegration. The unintended population of drug addicts potentially affected by public service campaigns has failed to gain attention in the literature despite the implications suggested by labeling theory. This poses a significant gap in our knowledge and understanding, which this study addresses through the voice of recovering meth addicts. This study explored the significance of the campaign with regard to the worldview of recovering meth addicts and the implications of this worldview with regard to their reintegration. In particular, the study examined 1) addict perceptions of the campaign's impact on community 2) addict perceptions of the campaign's personal impact 3) addict perceptions of the significance of social bonds 4) the implications of these perspectives from the theoretical standpoint of Labeling and Social Bond theory. In-depth interviews were conducted among a sample of twenty recovering meth addicts at a treatment facility in Grenadier, Montana as well as one active meth user. This form of data collection was chosen due to the exploratory nature of the study as well the significance of perception suggested by the Symbolic-Interaction perspective (Cooley 1902). The study revealed that the Montana Meth Project does have a significant impact on the worldview of the participants. When the participants believe the campaign has a positive impact on the community - creating awareness, understanding and acceptance - the campaign is viewed as a tool in their reintegration. However, as the bulk of the findings suggest, when the participants believe the campaign has a negative impact - stereotypes, labeling, stigmatization and differential treatment - the campaign is viewed as a barrier to their reintegration. With such a negative reaction in the worldview of the participants, the mainstream world including family, friends and the community did not appear to be at the forefront of their reintegration. Rather, a subculture of recovering addicts acts as the source of positive social bonds and the most significant in the reintegration of the participants. The findings of this study demonstrate the impact anti- drug campaigns, and particularly scare campaigns using a public service approach, can have on the unintended audience of drug addicts.

This study examines the relationship between adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse. From a literature study six hypotheses were developed. A quantitative empirical study, undertaken in a South African high school, investigated the level of adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse, as well as the relationship between the two. The influence of various moderator variables was also examined. In line with most international studies, the relationship between adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse was found to be significant. This research has shown that adolescent depressive symptomology is significantly and positively correlated with earlier age of onset of substance abuse as well as frequency of usage. There appear to be gender differences in the way adolescents deal with their depression in terms of substance abuse. In addition, risk factors for depression and substance abuse were confirmed. Recommendations have been made based on these results. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

This study examines the relationship between adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse. From a literature study six hypotheses were developed. A quantitative empirical study, undertaken in a South African high school, investigated the level of adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse, as well as the relationship between the two. The influence of various moderator variables was also examined. In line with most international studies, the relationship between adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse was found to be significant. This research has shown that adolescent depressive symptomology is significantly and positively correlated with earlier age of onset of substance abuse as well as frequency of usage. There appear to be gender differences in the way adolescents deal with their depression in terms of substance abuse. In addition, risk factors for depression and substance abuse were confirmed. Recommendations have been made based on these results. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Due to the speed at which the crack has earned place in society and because it has been considered, nowadays, a major social problem, this work aimed to analyze the social representations assigned to the users of crack and its use in the perspective of users, their families and health professionals. The study was conducted according to the referential of the Theory of Central Core. The survey was conducted in four CAPS, where thirty crack users, twenty relatives and thirty health professionals were interviewed. Data collection used an interview with evocative questions. The data were organized and processed by the EVOC software and the socio demographic data were analyzed by the software SPSS. In the group of users, the most significant representations regarding crack relate to the issue of dependency, as well as in the group of relatives, although using different terms. In turn, health professionals held to the motivation for the consumption and the consequences that this use entails. It was found that the groups, in general, define crack as a drug that destroys the person in various spheres of life and is highly addictive. About inductive term crack users, the most significant representations concern the care, focusing on the need of assistance this user has, given that its destructive power hinders its abandonment. However, there were some specifics among groups. The results indicate the hopelessness of users finding support from people to confront this drug. Similarly, the family presented negative evocations, although not directed to the user, but to changes in the family caused by the problems arising from the use of crack. In professional discourses, the difficulty in daily contact with these users prevailed, which limit its work with them. It was noted, finally, the absence of changes prospect with regard to the future of crack users between the groups and a noticeable disbelief in relation to their recovery. These results indicate important concerns, such as the challenges faced by health professionals concerning their performance against the dependence of the crack and the difficulties of treatment and prevention measures. Therefore, it is expected that this study provides support for establishing future studies in social psychology and mental health, and the creation of new shares that increase attention to these users, as well as their adherence to treatment. / Pela velocidade com que o crack tem ganhado lugar na sociedade e por ser considerado, hoje, como um grande problema social, este trabalho tomou como objeto de estudo as representações sociais acerca do usuário de crack. O postulado da Teoria das Representações Sociais é apreendido pelas diversas áreas de conhecimento, tornando-se eixo de pesquisas importantes para a revelação da realidade, possibilitando a investigação de fenômenos com abrangência social, como a drogadição. Desse modo, a pesquisa buscou analisar as representações sociais acerca do usuário de crack atribuídas por usuários em acompanhamento, familiares e profissionais que os acompanham no CAPS. Pretendeu-se, ainda, analisar a relação entre essas representações e as práticas do serviço do CAPS no acompanhamento dos usuários de crack. O estudo com abordagem quanti-qualitativa foi desenvolvido de acordo com o referencial da Teoria do Núcleo Central. A pesquisa foi realizada em quatro CAPS, sendo três localizados no interior do estado de Sergipe e um na capital, Aracaju. Participaram do estudo trinta usuários de crack, trinta profissionais e vinte familiares. Para coleta de dados, elaborou-se um roteiro para uma entrevista aberta com temas norteadores. Foi utilizada ainda, a técnica de evocação livre. Para análise de evocações, os dados foram organizados e processados através do software EVOC. Para análise discursiva foi utilizado o software Alceste, desenvolvido por Max Reinert. Os resultados da pesquisa servirão como contribuição para estudos futuros na área da psicologia social e da saúde mental, visando um maior entendimento da substância psicoativa crack, suas implicações e repercussões.

Due to the speed at which the crack has earned place in society and because it has been considered, nowadays, a major social problem, this work aimed to analyze the social representations assigned to the users of crack and its use in the perspective of users, their families and health professionals. The study was conducted according to the referential of the Theory of Central Core. The survey was conducted in four CAPS, where thirty crack users, twenty relatives and thirty health professionals were interviewed. Data collection used an interview with evocative questions. The data were organized and processed by the EVOC software and the socio demographic data were analyzed by the software SPSS. In the group of users, the most significant representations regarding crack relate to the issue of dependency, as well as in the group of relatives, although using different terms. In turn, health professionals held to the motivation for the consumption and the consequences that this use entails. It was found that the groups, in general, define crack as a drug that destroys the person in various spheres of life and is highly addictive. About inductive term crack users, the most significant representations concern the care, focusing on the need of assistance this user has, given that its destructive power hinders its abandonment. However, there were some specifics among groups. The results indicate the hopelessness of users finding support from people to confront this drug. Similarly, the family presented negative evocations, although not directed to the user, but to changes in the family caused by the problems arising from the use of crack. In professional discourses, the difficulty in daily contact with these users prevailed, which limit its work with them. It was noted, finally, the absence of changes prospect with regard to the future of crack users between the groups and a noticeable disbelief in relation to their recovery. These results indicate important concerns, such as the challenges faced by health professionals concerning their performance against the dependence of the crack and the difficulties of treatment and prevention measures. Therefore, it is expected that this study provides support for establishing future studies in social psychology and mental health, and the creation of new shares that increase attention to these users, as well as their adherence to treatment. / Pela velocidade com que o crack tem ganhado lugar na sociedade e por ser considerado, hoje, como um grande problema social, este trabalho tomou como objeto de estudo as representações sociais acerca do usuário de crack. O postulado da Teoria das Representações Sociais é apreendido pelas diversas áreas de conhecimento, tornando-se eixo de pesquisas importantes para a revelação da realidade, possibilitando a investigação de fenômenos com abrangência social, como a drogadição. Desse modo, a pesquisa buscou analisar as representações sociais acerca do usuário de crack atribuídas por usuários em acompanhamento, familiares e profissionais que os acompanham no CAPS. Pretendeu-se, ainda, analisar a relação entre essas representações e as práticas do serviço do CAPS no acompanhamento dos usuários de crack. O estudo com abordagem quanti-qualitativa foi desenvolvido de acordo com o referencial da Teoria do Núcleo Central. A pesquisa foi realizada em quatro CAPS, sendo três localizados no interior do estado de Sergipe e um na capital, Aracaju. Participaram do estudo trinta usuários de crack, trinta profissionais e vinte familiares. Para coleta de dados, elaborou-se um roteiro para uma entrevista aberta com temas norteadores. Foi utilizada ainda, a técnica de evocação livre. Para análise de evocações, os dados foram organizados e processados através do software EVOC. Para análise discursiva foi utilizado o software Alceste, desenvolvido por Max Reinert. Os resultados da pesquisa servirão como contribuição para estudos futuros na área da psicologia social e da saúde mental, visando um maior entendimento da substância psicoativa crack, suas implicações e repercussões.

This study examines the relationship between adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse. From a literature study six hypotheses were developed. A quantitative empirical study, undertaken in a South African high school, investigated the level of adolescent depressiVe symptomology and substance abuse, as well as the relationship between the two. The influence of various moderator variables was also examined. In line with most international studies, the relationship between adolescent depressive symptomotogy and substance abuse was found to be significant. This research has shown that adolescent depressive symptomology is significantly and positively correlated with earlier age at onset of substance abuse as well as frequency of usage. There appear to be gender differences in the way adolescents deal with their depression in terms of substance abuse. In addition, risk factors for depression and substance abuse were confirmed. Recommendations have been made based on these results / Educational Studies / M.Ed.