Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Anthony Perry

Abstract

Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and other drugs puts communities' and individuals' safety at tremendous risk. The excessive use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and/or some prescribed medications causes cognitive impairment and the physical incapability of operating a vehicle. The court system penalizes drunken driving behaviors by placing DUI offenders in a variety of mandated interventions to minimize the risk of reoffense. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore DUI offenders' positive experiences and perceptions derived from DUI programs and how they impacted well-being and commitment to positive change using Seligman's well-being theory as a conceptual framework. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 11 DUI offenders participating in court-mandated treatment in a northern U.S. state. The interviews were manually transcribed and then coded for themes using a typology classification system based on key terms, word repetitions, and metaphors. The findings highlighted positive consequences and outcomes resulted from DUI arrest including resilience, engagement in treatment, and well-being. The findings of this study could be useful because addiction professionals might incorporate concepts related to positive psychology into the addiction treatment. The issues described by the participants may be used to enrich the quality of existing DUI interventions with the promotion of positive factors supporting health, thus shifting existing negative focus on disease, weakness, and damage into positive interventions based on strengths and virtues.

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