Campus Location
Abilene Campus (Residential)
Date of Award
Spring 5-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Social Work
Degree Name
Master of Science
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Dr. Alan Lipps
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Rachel Slaymaker, LMSW
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Tyson Alexander, LMFT
Abstract
ABSTRACT On many college and university campuses, offering services to care for the psychological needs of students is vital. High amounts of stress and involvement can lead
them to engage in behaviors that are detrimental to academic success. Stress reactions may lead to drug or alcohol use, absences, failing to complete assignments, and social isolation. Stress reactions may also result in more serious forms of mental disturbances. Research shows that, among college students, aspects of spirituality and religiosity can facilitate recovery from such stress reactions and mental disturbances. Celebrate Recovery (CR), an intervention method, is a faith-based recovery program designed for accountability and growth. CR has been shown to increase confidence among participants helping them to resist substance abuse and develop strategies for improving mental wellness. This program may improve self-efficacy and increase confidence in students by helping them obtain skills for coping with high-risk situations that may hinder recovery (Brown, Tonigan, Pavlik, Kosten & Volk, 2013).
This study is a program evaluation of a CR program for college students attending a private, medium-sized, Christian university. Measures included: The Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS); the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18); the Spiritual Experience Index (SEI); and semi-structured, in-depth interviews for all CR participants. Findings show that through participants experienced personal and spiritual growth, felt a sense of community in the group, and gained accountability. Limitations included:
inadequate promotion, for various reasons, of the Celebrate Recovery group; and a small number of group participants who completed the CR program. Implications for program refinement and future research are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Turner, Sara, "Spirituality and Recovery" (2018). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 87.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/87