Reduction of Anomie through the Use of Say It Straight™ Training

This study evaluated the Say It Straight™ (SIS) Training Program for its ability to improve straightforward communication, increase self-esteem, increase an individual's overall perception of group and family belonging or cohesiveness within a residential treatment setting and decrease an individual's perceived level of anomie. Effectiveness of SIS training was evaluated with paired sample t-tests (2-tailed) on six objective questionnaires given before and after training. Participation in the study was voluntary. Of the 39 patients in residence, 26 participated in SIS training, (23 attended over 80% of the sessions and 3 attended over 50%). Three were excluded from the study due to developmental or dementia-related diagnoses, 3 chose not to participate, 5 were discharged routinely prior to completion and were not post-tested; and 2 were discharged against medical advice during the training. It is interesting to notice that on the average there are about 5 discharges against medical advice per month at the facility, but during the five weeks of SIS there were only 2. Self-reports of empowering behaviors, quality of family and group life and self-esteem showed highly significant increases following SIS. Self-reports of disempowering behaviors (placating, passive-aggressive, blaming, irrelevant, intellectualizing) showed highly significant decreases following SIS and anomie showed a significant decrease. All p values are results from 2-tailed t-tests for paired observations. Subjective reports regarding training effectiveness were also very positive. Recommendations include: 1) follow-up and compare SIS trained Sante alumni and non-SIS trained Sante alumni for recidivism rate and participation in recovery oriented group activities; 2) develop a tool for measuring anomie specifically related to treatment settings as a construct versus a single variable, and 3) develop a tool for measuring group cohesiveness specifically related to treatment settings as a construct versus a single variable.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2004

Author dc:creator

• Wood, Thomas Erin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kitchens, James A.
• Englander-Golden, Paula
• Pillai, Vijayan
• Sadri, Mahmoud
• Corley, M. Deb

• Interpersonal communication -- Study and teaching.
• Alienation (Social psychology)
• Addicts -- Rehabilitation.
• SIS training
• self-esteem
• anomie
• reduction
• Say It Straight

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Wood, Thomas Erin
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 58652110
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4677/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc4677

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc4677