Date of Conferral

8-20-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Victoria Sepulveda

Abstract

Substance abuse continues to create significant personal, family, and legal challenges, yet limited research exists on mandated clients receiving counseling within rural municipal court systems. Studying factors associated with relapse allows counselors and counselor educators to develop interventions to prevent relapse and improve treatment outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between group counseling attributes of attendance, accountability, attitudes and the level of relapse rates among rural municipal court clients in Columbus, Mississippi, as measured by the DEF, Subtle, Face Valid Alcohol, Face Valid Other Drugs, and the OAT Scales of the SASSI-4 Assessment. Theoretical Foundation for this study was cognitive behavioral theory. Secondary data from the Columbus Municipal Drug Court (CMDC) were utilized to explore these relationships. The study’s sample consisted of 120 clients enrolled in CMDC’s one-year program from January through December 2023 who were ages 18–65 and completed at least 15 group counseling sessions. I used multiple linear regression to examine the relationship between the predictor and criterion variables. Results indicated a strong relationship between group counseling attendance and relapse. Accountability and treatment attitudes lacked evidence of an association with relapse. This information could help counseling professionals develop resources that strengthen attendance to mitigate relapse. Future researchers should refine the measurement of these variables and explore their effects in different contexts. Implications for positive social change include informing counseling practices, improving court-mandated treatment programs, and supporting relapse prevention strategies for individuals involved in rural justice systems.

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