Date of Award

2017

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The present study aimed to contribute to the research base of studies exploring components of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a mutual-aid program whose primary purpose is to help its members maintain sobriety from psychoactive substances. This study concerned itself with sponsorship, a relationship consisting of two alcoholics where one helps the other to work the Twelve Steps of AA and navigate sober life. It was hypothesized that after controlling for gender, income, and involvement in AA, there would be a main effect of sponsorship on psychological well-being (including specific domains of well-being), confidence in refusing drinks, number of daily spiritual experiences, and search for and presence of meaning in life. Additionally, it was hypothesized that sponsorship would moderate the relationship between overall AA Involvement and these outcomes. Participants were recruited from two AA communities and an outpatient treatment facility in the Midwestern United States. Using a series of hierarchical regressions, it was found that sponsorship accounted for a significant amount of variance over and above that which was accounted for by AA Involvement in the domains of overall psychological well-being, autonomy, environmental mastery, positive relations with others, self-acceptance, presence of meaning in life, and daily spiritual experiences. This effect approached significance in the domain of personal growth. Sponsorship was expected to moderate the relationship between overall AA Involvement and AA outcomes after testing for an interaction of sponsorship and AA Involvement, but this was only found significant in the case of confidence in not drinking for those who engaged in sponsorship activities at a rate below the mean. Additionally, moderation approached significance in the domain of personal growth. The results of this study suggest that sponsorship is a uniquely important part of engaging in the AA program as it relates to the goals of the program for its members—to maintain sobriety and enjoy a sober life.

Download

Share

COinS