Harm reduction (HR) approaches to substance use show promising efficacy, but limited research exists exploring professional counselors’ perceptions of HR. An online survey gathered data from 395 substance use providers, including 128 professional counselors. In measuring HR acceptance, t-tests compared this sample to prior samples, an analysis of variance compared counselors to other providers, and multiple regression explored the influence of counselor identity factors. Empathic responsiveness and positive social justice attitudes were predictors of HR acceptance. Counselors’ perceptions of HR were similar to other providers. Results indicated that counselor identity influences HR perceptions, with implications for practice and training considered.
As marijuana use is increasingly decriminalized in the United States, the research suggests that understanding the importance of risk and protective factors within each racial/ethnic group is key to buffering the impact marijuana has on youth. Therefore, the current study examined the potential impacts of psychosocial factors included in the Theory of Planned Behavior—perceived risk, peer disapproval, and parental involvement—on marijuana use in a nationally representative sample of African American youth (n = 1768). Increased perceived risk, peer disapproval, and parental involvement were each associated with lower rates of last year marijuana use. Implications for prevention and treatment are discussed.
A non-experimental, correlational survey design was used to explore relationships between counselor recovery status, training, and counselor demographic variables on multicultural counseling self-efficacy in addiction counselors (N = 283) using the Multicultural Counseling Self-Efficacy – Racial Diversity Form. A multiple-indicators and multiple-causes model analysis indicated significant differences based on race, multicultural education, and CACREP program attendance on multicultural counseling self-efficacy. Implications from this study and recommendations for future research are discussed.
This study employs logistic regression and latent class analyses to explore the relationship between incarcerated women's (n = 252) participation in nonacademic prison groups/skills classes and their demographic (e.g., education) and prison context (e.g., time to release) characteristics, using the 2014 Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies United States prison dataset. Time to release was a significant factor in readiness class participation. Time to release and race/ethnicity were significant factors in addiction group participation. Education level had the largest effect size across all groups/classes explored. We discuss counseling implications for using group/class screening to connect with incarcerated women, especially those with intersecting and historically marginalized identities.
Behavioral addictions such as social media addiction and internet gaming disorder are prevalent among adolescent populations. Although studies have investigated predictors of these addictive behaviors with international samples of adolescents, less is known about American adolescents. In this study, we investigated the predictive nature of emotion regulation after controlling for age, gender, and race with regard to social media addiction and internet gaming disorder severity. Results indicate that gender and emotion regulation significantly predicted both forms of behavioral addictions with small to moderate effects. Specifically, female gender and lower emotion regulation significantly predicted social media addiction and male gender and lower emotion regulation significantly predicted internet gaming disorder severity. Implications for mental health professionals are discussed.
Thirty-four adults recently released from incarceration and living in transitional homes were interviewed in this qualitative study. An open-ended approach to interviewing was used to allow participants’ main concerns to emerge. Participants were primarily focused on rebuilding relationships to achieve stability post-incarceration. Participants who rebuilt stable relationships were able to work on internal goals (e.g., sobriety). Participants who did not rebuild stable relationships returned to existing social networks of unstable connections characterized by drug addiction, abuse, or criminal activity.
Researchers have placed a necessary focus on the mental health and substance use needs of U.S. military populations. In the present study, we examined a sequential regression model in which psychological, emotional, and spiritual factors predicted hazardous drinking and internet gaming severity in a national sample of 207 with military identities. Results indicated that posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, shame, and negative religious coping predicted hazardous alcohol use. Additionally, religious and spiritual struggles predicted higher internet gaming severity. Future research is needed to better contextualize combat era demographics and mental health risk and protective factors associated with alcohol use and internet gaming among military populations.

