title: Factors associated with mental health clinicians' referrals to 12-Step groups.
abstract: As substance use and mental illness services are increasingly integrated, mental health professionals are presented with opportunities to refer greater numbers of dually diagnosed clients to 12-Step groups. This study examined the relationships among clinicians' 12-Step experiences, attitudes, and referral practices in 6 mental health clinics in New York, New York. A path analysis model showed that greater interest in learning about 12-Step groups directly predicted 12-Step referral practices and that 12-Step interest was predicted by clinicians' perception of the helpfulness of 12-Step groups and the severity of their patients' problems with substance abuse. Clinicians' responses to open-ended questions supported this model. Didactic and experiential education for clinicians in substance abuse and mutual aid would likely increase patient referrals to 12-Step groups.
authors.affiliation: National Development and Research Institutes, New York, New York 10010, USA. Matusow@ndri.org
authors.forename: Harlan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matusow
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosenblum
authors.forename: Chunki
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laudet
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Uttaro
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magura
mesh_terms: D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009519:New York City; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*