International Journal of School and Cognitive Psychology
Open Access

Abstract

Untangling the Alliance-Outcome Correlation: Exploring the Relative Effect of Age and Gender in Treatment of Adolescence Substance Abuser

Olusegun E Afolabi and Fatai A Adebayo

Although the relationship between the therapeutic alliance and outcome has long been established across numerous studies and meta-analyses, less is known about this in treatment of adolescence substance abuse. This study investigates factors that influence alliance-outcome relationship in adolescence substance abuse treatment. To achieve this objective, this study explored the relative effect of demographic variables, i.e. (age and gender) in a sample of adolescent substance abuser at the rehabilitation treatment centre of University college hospital, (UCH) Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria. Fifty-three adolescents took part in this study, and completed self-report measures of readiness and expectation (client’s theory of change) prior to treatment, therapeutic alliance measures during treatment. The findings indicates that, age do not predict alliance-outcome relationship in adolescence substance abuse treatment, as there was no moderating effect for client’s age. In addition, the finding showed a significant sex difference in pre-treatment motivational variables, client ratings of the alliance and treatment outcome. Finally, it was suggested that early identification of demographic variables that influence adolescent’s treatment; as adolescent’s attributions of resistance are associated with age and gender.