Preliminary findings on the association between clients' perceived helpfulness of substance abuse treatment and outcomes: does race matter?
BACKGROUND
Few studies examine the helpfulness and effectiveness of substance abuse treatment from the clients' perspective.


METHODS
The current secondary analysis examined the perceived helpfulness of substance abuse treatment components and its relationship to treatment outcomes among 387 Black and White adults participating in a multisite randomized clinical trial (RCT) of Motivational Enhancement Therapy. Throughout the 16-week RCT, participants self-reported substance use. Upon completion of treatment, participants completed a self-report measure assessing the perceived helpfulness of treatment components.


RESULTS
Black participants rated 9 out of 12 treatment components (e.g., "learning skills that will help me cope with my problems") as being more helpful than their White counterparts, even after controlling for age, gender, employment status, primary drug type, and treatment assignment. However, perceived helpfulness ratings were not associated with substance use outcomes among Black or White participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Clients' perceived helpfulness of treatment components is an important factor to consider in improving the delivery of substance abuse treatment, especially for Black adults.
University of Cincinnati, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling Program, 2160 McMicken Circle, P.O. Box 210068, Cincinnati, OH 45215, USA. Electronic address: montgolc@ucmail.uc.edu.
LaTrice
L
Montgomery
University of Cincinnati, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling Program, 2160 McMicken Circle, P.O. Box 210068, Cincinnati, OH 45215, USA.
Blair
B
Sanning
University of Cincinnati, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling Program, 2160 McMicken Circle, P.O. Box 210068, Cincinnati, OH 45215, USA.
Nicole
N
Litvak
Friends Research Institute, 1040 Park Avenue, Suite 103, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Erica N
EN
Peters
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062405:Motivational Interviewing; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
Perceived helpfulness; Race; Substance abuse treatment