title: The impact of significant others in motivational enhancement therapy: findings from project MATCH.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Social network support for abstinence has been associated with improved treatment outcomes among samples of individuals with alcohol use disorders. As a result, research studies have focused on the inclusion of significant others (SOs) in the treatment process. Nonetheless, little is known about 1) the specific influence SOs may have on clients during treatment sessions or 2) whether SO within-session behaviors have any relationship to client post-treatment drinking.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the current study, Motivational Enhancement Therapy sessions in which a SO was present were coded using a behavioral coding system designed to measure SO and client within-session language.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Relationships were observed between SO and client within-session language. Furthermore, some specific SO categories of language predicted post-treatment client drinking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is the first systematic evaluation of SO contributions in substance abuse treatment sessions. Future research examining SO language in the treatment of alcohol use disorders might allow clinicians to avoid contributions from SOs that are associated with poorer drinking outcomes.
authors: University of California, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA. jennifer.manuel@ucsf.edu
authors: Jennifer K
authors: JK
authors: Manuel
authors: Jon M
authors: JM
authors: Houck
authors: Theresa B
authors: TB
authors: Moyers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019260:Expressed Emotion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome