title: Impressions of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Group Cohesion: A Case for a Nonspecific Factor Predicting Later AA Attendance.
abstract: Social support for abstinence in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been reported to be a consistent factor accounting for AA benefit. However, the nonspecific or unintended effects of such support remain poorly understood and rarely investigated. This prospective study investigated how one nonspecific factor-perceived AA group cohesiveness-predicted increased practice of AA-related behaviors. Findings indicated that impressions of AA group cohesion predicted increased AA attendance, the practice of prescribed AA activities, and self-reported AA usefulness. It appears that a sense of belongingness predicts subsequent engagement in the AA social network that, in turn, is predictive of increased abstinence.
authors.affiliation: Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA.
authors.forename: Samara Lloyd
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.affiliation: Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA.
authors.forename: J Scott
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tonigan
keywords: Alcoholics Anonymous; group cohesion; mutual-help; nonspecific factors; self-help
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