Adaptation and Pilot Testing of the Women’s Recovery Group for Young Adults (WRG-YA)

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Justine Welsh, Emory University; Kallio Hunnicutt-Ferguson, Emory University; Jordan Cattie, Emory University; Yujia Shentu, Emory University; Maggie J Mataczynski, Emory University; Devon LoParo, Emory University; Shelly F Greenfield, McLean Hospital
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-01-01
• Publisher: Informa UK Limited
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: Rights managed by Taylor & Francis
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07347324.2020.1837044
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 225
• End Page: 237
• Grant/Funding Information: This research was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award number UL1TR002378. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
• Keywords: treatment retention; treatment engagement; substance use disorder; young adults; Women’s Recovery Group (WRG)

Abstract

Gender-specific substance use disorder treatment has demonstrated promise in adult women, but is relatively unexplored in young adults. To address the specific needs of young adult females, the manual-based Women’s Recovery Group (WRG) was adapted for women ages 18–25. Treatment engagement and retention, group cohesiveness, satisfaction, and substance use outcomes were measured during group treatment and at 1-month follow up. This pilot supports the feasibility and initial acceptability of the adapted form of the WRG for young adults. Data from this study may inform future gender-specific treatment approaches for substance use disorders in younger populations.