Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to determine the relationship between health locus of control and spiritual well-being of participants in Narcotics Anonymous .

Erickson, Tomlin, and Swain's (1983) Modeling and Role- Modeling provided the conceptual framework. The sample was composed of 20 men and women who were participants in Narcotics Anonymous and 18 years and older. Data were collected by a gatekeeper to maintain anonymity. Three questionnaires were used: Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, Spiritual Well-Being Scale, and a Demographic Data Sheet. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation procedure, and content analysis. The health locus of control for the participants in this study was determined to be internal. The level and dimension of spiritual wellbeing of the recovering drug addicts were found to be unimpaired. A significant negative relationship was discovered between MHLC and SWB, RWB, and EWB. No significant relationships were found among age, months attending Narcotics Anonymous, years addicted and health locus of control and level of spiritual well-being of participants. Three reasons were described for seeking help: personal, legal, and family. Eighty percent of the participants listed Narcotics Anonymous as the major influence in their recovery. This study suggests that fostering internal self-strengths, such as health locus of control and spiritual well-being, may promote more effective treatment for the recovering drug addict. It further suggests that Narcotics Anonymous is an important external coping resource. Further research is indicated. Recommendations from this study include replication using a larger sample size and comparing recovering drug addicts who attend Narcotics Anonymous and recovering drug addicts who do not. Other recommendations include an exploratory study to identify successful treatment modalities other than Narcotics Anonymous and a longitudinal study through recovery and over time in Narcotics Anonymous .

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

12-1-1990

Publication Number

27919791

First Advisor

B. J. Landis

Second Advisor

Dr. Nancy Hill

Third Advisor

Dr. Linda Sullivan

Document Type

Thesis

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Included in

Nursing Commons

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