Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Randy Heinrich

Abstract

AbstractIn the United States, 1 in 3 people with a substance use disorder is a woman who experienced domestic violence in her lifespan; yet only 1 of 5 people in treatment are women, which implies gender-specific difficulties to therapeutic engagement. There are documented inequalities and unmet needs among battered women with substance use disorders when therapists vary in their ability to form a working alliance with patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of addiction therapists’ working alliances with battered women with substance use disorders. The theoretical framework was based in transcendental phenomenology theory and working alliance theory. The research was conducted to answer the following research question: What are the lived experiences of addiction therapists in forming working alliances with patients? A transcendental phenomenology approach was used in this qualitative study. Data was collected through interviews with six addiction therapists located in the Eastern coastal region of the United States. Data was analyzed using a modified version of van Kaam’s data analysis method and themes identified were (a) assessments, (b) collaborative rapport, (c) active listening, and (d) trust. The findings of this study have potential implications for positive social by providing information that may be useful for human service administrators, social workers, and staff to adapt policies and influence decision makers to improve programming and underwrite social policy programs to help vulnerable populations in society, including women who have experienced domestic violence and a substance use disorder.

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