Pepperdine University Pepperdine Digital Commons Theses and Dissertations 2016 Strengths-based treatment of substance use disorders: a critical analysis of the literature Jennifer A. Berg Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd Recommended Citation Berg, Jennifer A., "Strengths-based treatment of substance use disorders: a critical analysis of the literature" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 729. https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/729 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology STRENGTHS-BASED TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE LITERATURE A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology by Jennifer A. Berg October, 2016 Amy Tuttle, Ph. D. – Dissertation Chairperson This clinical dissertation, written by Jennifer A Berg under the guidance of a Faculty Committee and approved by its members, has been submitted to and accepted by the Graduate Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY Doctoral Committee: Amy Tuttle, Ph.D., Chairperson Carrie Castaneda-Sound, Ph.D. Natasha Thapar-Olmos, Ph.D TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ...........................................................................................................................v LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... vi DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................. vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... viii VITA .............................................................................................................................................. ix ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................. xiv Chapter One: Introduction ...............................................................................................................1 Specific Aims and Objectives ..............................................................................................6 Definition of Key Terms ......................................................................................................6 Chapter Two: Review and Analysis Procedures ..............................................................................9 Purpose and Scope of the Review ........................................................................................9 Analysis Procedures .............................................................................................................9 Chapter Three: Review of the Literature .......................................................................................14 Definition of Substance Use Disorders ..............................................................................14 Current Statistics ................................................................................................................15 Etiology of Substance Use Disorders ................................................................................18 Psychological Models of Etiology .....................................................................................21 Treatment of Substance Use Disorders ..............................................................................24 Chapter Four: Synthesis and Critique of the Literature .................................................................62 Critical Analysis of MET Empirical Research ..................................................................62 Critical Analysis of SFBT Empirical Research .................................................................77 Critical Analysis of Narrative Therapy Empirical Research .............................................80 Critical Analysis of Positive Psychology Empirical Research ..........................................85 Critical Analysis of Strengths Perspective Empirical Research ........................................91 Review and Evaluation of Key Findings ...........................................................................92 Methodological and Conceptual Critique ..........................................................................94 Congruence with Culturally Competent Practice ..............................................................97 iv Page Chapter Five: Discussion ...............................................................................................................99 Common Clinical Factors ..................................................................................................99 Clinical Implications ........................................................................................................105 Recommendations for Future Research ...........................................................................108 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................110 APPENDIX A: Table Summary of Selected Literature ..............................................................131 APPENDIX B: Literature Analysis Flow Chart ..........................................................................205 APPENDIX C: GPS IRB Exemption Notice ...............................................................................207 v LIST OF TABLES Page Table A1. Motivational Enhancement Therapy ...........................................................................132 Table A2. Solution Focused Brief Therapy .................................................................................161 Table A3. Narrative Therapy .......................................................................................................171 Table A4. Positive Psychology ....................................................................................................179 Table A5. Strengths-Based Perspective Programs.......................................................................187 vi LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure B1. Literature analysis flow chart ....................................................................................206 vii DEDICATION To my husband, Gaetano and my family . viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to acknowledge and thank those who have helped me throughout this long and difficult journey. First, I would like to thank my dissertation chair, Dr. Amy Tuttle for her invaluable guidance, support, and encouragement. She was a tremendous source of wisdom and insight and gave generously of her time and energy. I would also like to thank my committee members, Dr. Carrie Castaneda-Sound and Dr. Natasha Thapar-Olmos for sharing their time and knowledge and for challenging me to think critically about culturally competent treatment. To my husband Gaetano, thank you for being so incredibly supportive, loving, and patient throughout this process. Thank you for believing in me and providing me with a life that has allowed me to pursue my passion and accomplish my goals. I am eternally grateful for you and the happiness you bring to my life. I would like to thank my amazing mom who instilled in me a profound appreciation for education and taught me never to give up. Thank you for helping me to believe in myself and for always making sacrifices so that I may have opportunities. I am beyond blessed to have you. Thank you to my dad for his unconditional love, support, and encouragement. His kindness and sense of humor helped keep me positive, optimistic, and confident in my ability to succeed. I would also like to acknowledge and thank my brother Hunter whose strength, courage, and drive have continually inspired and motivated me. Finally, I would like to say thank you to all my friends and family members, each of whom played an important role in helping me to complete this dissertation. A special thank you to my nanny who prayed for me daily and whose unwavering faith in me kept me pushing forward. ix VITA JENNIFER A BERG EDUCATIONAL HISTORY Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA Anticipated date of graduation: May 2016 • APA-accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology • Dissertation title: “Strengths-Based Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Critical Analysis of the Literature” • Dissertation Chair: Amy Tuttle, Ph.D. Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, April 2009 Bachelor of Arts in Psychology University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, June 2005 CLINICAL EXPERIENCE July 2013 – July 2015 Location: Sovereign Health of California, San Clemente, CA Position: Pre-Doctoral Clinical Psychology Intern Supervisor: William Gordon, Ph.D. and Sarah Steinmeyer, Ph.D. Conducted intake interviews and completed bio-psycho-social assessments with adult and adolescent clients suffering from a range of psychological and emotional disorders including substance use disorders, eating disorders,