Bill O'Connell, Ed.D., LPCC, CCDC III
Xavier University
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45207-6612
(513) 745-1080
Toll Free: 1-800-344-GOXU
E-mail: oconnell@xavier.edu
Family members of alcohol and drug offenders are often persons in crisis. Family members may become involved with
courts, probation officers, counselors, and other social service agencies. In addition, family members must cope with the
absence of the offender while he is incarcerated and participating in treatment. For some family members, the absence due
to incarceration is a relief, while for others the offender's absence is difficult to bear. This presentation is aimed at
discussing exploratory research with the population of family members of alcohol and drug offenders. Methods of
intervention with the identified population will also be discussed.
There has been little empirical research regarding the needs of family members of incarcerated alcohol and drug offenders.
The purpose of this study was to explore the needs of family members using a multisystemic model. The Family
Adaptability and Cohesion Scales (FACES II), the Quality of Life inventory, the Quality of Criminal Justice Services
(QCJS) and the Quality of Counseling Services (QCS) self-report scales were administered to 85 family members visiting
men incarcerated for alcohol and drug abuse issues in Hamilton County, Ohio. The design was exploratory utilizing
correlational comparisons between cohesion, adaptability, family type, quality of life, quality of criminal justice services,
and quality of counseling services. Additionally the variables were considered in combination with demographic variables,
i.e., gender, race, relationship type, educational level, presence of dependents and interest in counseling.
Preliminary findings suggest the sample population scored in the balanced, functional range of family type on FACES 11. Respondents indicated general satisfaction with multiple life domains on the Quality of Life inventory. With the exception of financial issues, respondents were least satisfied with counseling and criminal justice services compared to other life domains on the Quality of Life instrument. Additional statistical analyses yielded significance for select independent and dependent variables. The findings from this study, coupled with previous research linking the needs of family members to the quality of interaction with the multiple systems in which they interact, substantiate the rationale that significant others and other family members of incarcerated alcohol and drug offenders ought to be the target of counseling interventions.
To return to Convening's homepage, click here.
To return to Convening XXVI's list of presentations, click here.