Social identity, social networks and recovery capital in emerging adulthood: A pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundIt has been argued that recovery from substance dependence relies on a change in identity, with past research focused on ‘personal identity’. This study assessed support for a social identity model of recovery in emerging adults through examining associations between social identity, social networks, recovery capital, and quality of life.MethodsTwenty participants aged 18–21 in residential treatment for substance misuse were recruited from four specialist youth drug treatment services - three detoxification facilities and one psychosocial rehabilitation facility in Victoria, Australia. Participants completed a detailed social network interview exploring the substance use of groups in their social networks and measures of quality of life, recovery capital, and social identity.ResultsLower group substance use was associated with higher recovery capital, stronger identification with non-using groups, and greater importance of non-using groups in the social network. Additionally, greater identification with and importance of non-using groups were associated with better environmental quality of life, whereas greater importance conferred on using groups was associated with reduced environmental quality of life.ConclusionsSupport was found for the role of social identity processes in reported recovery capital and quality of life. Future research in larger, longitudinal samples is required to improve understanding of social identity processes during treatment and early recovery and its relationship to recovery stability.

Experiences of Sustainable Abstinence-Based Recovery: an Exploratory Study of Three Recovery Communities (RC) in England

“…RCs were seen as a vehicle through which members could become engaged in positive activities to combat social isolation and to support a return to 'normality', both key aspects of the maintenance of abstinence. Members appeared more resilient and developed meaning in their lives evidencing, for example, improved relationships with family members, and better connections with society (Irving 2011;Mawson et al 2015;Wittouck et al 2013). The involvement of RC members in problem-solving and decision-making processes was also seen to help the sustainability of recovery communities.…”

“…Strong social networks and self-esteem play an important part in enabling individuals to recognise the significant role they can play in their own recovery (Bracken et al 2012;Kelly et al 2009;Tew et al 2012). It is common for people in recovery to experience distress, face isolation, and limited social support following the loss and erosion of family relationships (Mawson et al 2015) and loss of previous drug-network friendships (2001;Laudet et al 2006). Positive social support networks are key to supporting those in recovery (Best et al 2015a, b;Litt et al 2009;Stevens et al 2010;Timpson et al 2016).…”

“…Aside from individual motivation, behaviour change is dependent on resilience-building motivators such as developing a strong sense of purpose by way of meaningful activities, strengthening supportive social networks, and having access to permanent supportive living accommodation and health care services (Best et al 2012(Best et al , 2015b(Best et al , 2016Collins et al 2016). Recovery can promote creation of healthier identities, improvements relationships with family, restore dignity, improve self-acceptance, and increase feelings of community (Irving 2011;Mawson et al 2015;Wittouck et al 2013). Positive recovery experiences may also incorporate aspects of spirituality that are associated with well-being, such as gratitude, selfcompassion, and using personal experiences to help others (Kaskutas et al 2014).…”

Using implicit association to access drug use trajectories of young people: Understanding the different drug use pathways for young people who use illicit substances and investigating the role of implicit identification as a useful indicator of risk of drug dependency

“…Only once they can define themselves as an addict can they move towards change and establish a new non-user identity. Becoming a member of a non-drug-using social network is seen as crucial to the recovery process and involves establishing social networks that support the new identity (Mawson, Best, Beckwith, Dingle & Lubman, 2015). It is most likely in this phase that their implicit identification of themselves as dependent users starts to change to non-identification with substance use.…”

“…In comparison, for those people who are transitioning into drug use, the more entrenched they become in patterns of drug use and in drug-using social networks, the more they may identify with the drug-using group and internalise the values and the norms of this group which are likely to be based around drug use (Biernacki, 1986, Mawson et al, 2015. Data from this research also found the number of friends that use drugs to be significantly related to drug use frequency over time.…”