title: Women Leaders in Oxford House.
abstract: This qualitative study examined women assuming leadership roles in Oxford Houses, which are communal, democratically run recovery settings for substance use disorder. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 women Oxford House leaders who shared their thoughts and experiences on leadership. Several themes emerged from qualitative data analysis, most notably that stepping up and accepting a leadership role in Oxford House had a positive effect on self-esteem, which is vital to women with a history of substance abuse. Barriers to leadership were also identified such as negative interpersonal relationships with other women. A number of methods mentioned to increase the number of women leaders included: developing workshops, providing positive encouragement, and accessing existing female role models. The implications of this study are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina, Raleigh, USA.
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Timpo
authors.affiliation: Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Temple
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Price
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Salina
authors.affiliation: DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Witek
authors.affiliation: DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pommer
authors.affiliation: DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Leonard A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Jason