The second talk in the fall 2012 Psychology Graduate Research Series, co-hosted by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences and NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies (CPS), will examine the psychological effects of membership in Narcotics Anonymous.
Psychology Graduate Research Series
“Exploring Psychological Sense of Community in Members of Narcotics Anonymous”
Presentation by Amy E. Heinowitz, M.A., doctoral student at CPS
Wednesday, Oct. 10
Noon–1:00 p.m.
Maltz Psychology Building | Room 2051
About the Talk
About 10 percent of adults living in the United States meet criteria for a substance-use disorder. Although 12-step groups are considered evidence-based practices for substance-use problems, an understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which they facilitate recovery practices remains in its infancy. Social support is one possible mechanism of action with prior empirical support. This talk examines the possible influence of an additional mediator: psychological sense of community.
Adult members of Narcotics Anonymous with a minimum of one year of substance-related abstinence completed an online survey in which they provided information about current recovery-related practices and various psychosocial outcomes. In addition to examining the factor structure of psychological sense of community, the research explores whether psychological sense of community predicts psychological well-being over measures of social support. Theoretical implications of these data will be discussed.
Heinowitz has worked under the guidance of faculty adviser Christian DeLucia, Ph.D., associate professor at CPS.
The Psychology Graduate Research Series is free and open to the public. Pizza will be served. For more information, contact Jaime Tartar, Ph.D., associate professor and coordinator of psychology research Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, at (954) 262-8192 or Sarah Valley-Gray, Psy.D., associate professor at the Center for Psychological Studies.
