"Exploring Predictive Factors for Enabling Behavior in Family Members o" by Joseph Lemieux

Date of Award

Spring 5-17-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Counseling & Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Peiwei Li, PhD

Second Advisor

Dr. Maggie Giles, PhD

Third Advisor

Dr. Alicia Vitagliano, PhD

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the underpinning driving forces for enabling behavior in affected family members with loved ones engaged in problematic substance use. With improved clarity and understanding of the variables predictive of enabling behavior, clinicians may be able to treat family members with improved precision and efficacy. Specifically, this study inquired about the relationship between enabling behavior and several variables, including (a) trauma, (b) ethnicity/race, (c) gender, (d) social support, (e) household income, and (f) age. This study surveyed 100 participants identifying as affected family members. Surveys were completed online and consisted of a demographic questionnaire, Behavioral Enabling Scale, International Trauma Questionnaire, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The data were collected and transcribed into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for multiple linear regression analysis. The multiple linear regression analysis yielded a model including posttraumatic stress disorder, North American Indigenous race/ethnicity, male gender, and below average social support (i.e., scoring below the 50th percentile relative to other participants in the study). The variables included in the model of this study historically require a unique and compassionate approach to treat. Traumatized individuals require trauma-informed approaches. Indigenous cultures have been identified as most susceptible to enabling thrive with a culture-informed approach to providing care and support. Men are historically treatment resistant/averse, making treatment engagement a challenge worthy of calculated practice. Finally, encouraging an affected family member to seek support outside of a family system governed by rules grounded in distrust of outsiders requires patience and tact. By embracing these treatment challenges, clinicians can move closer to providing targeted, evidence-based care to affected family members to support their recovery.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

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