Synchronous Online Cognitive-Behavioral Group Intervention: 12-month Evaluation for Substance Use Mandated Clients

• Published in: Research on social work practice Vol. 32; no. 8; pp. 940 - 951
• Main Authors: Gregory, Virgil L., Werth, Lisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.11.2022; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Alcohol use; Clinical social workers; Cognition; Cognitive behavioral therapy; Cognitive-behavioral factors; Feasibility; Intervention; Research design; Substance abuse; drug use; court ordered; cognitive-behavioral therapy; alcohol use; early intervention
• ISSN: 1049-7315; 1552-7581
• DOI: 10.1177/10497315221106785

Far less prevalent in intervention research for justice involved or other mandated clients is the advent of synchronous online cognitive-behavioral group intervention (SOC-BGI). Purpose: The purpose of the study was to provide an effectiveness-oriented evaluation regarding the feasibility of SOC-BGI facilitated by licensed clinical social workers. Method: The study used a pre-experimental design (N = 41) with four observations including a 12-month follow-up. A linear mixed model was used to evaluate longitudinal comparisons. Results: On the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Contemplation subscale, from Baseline to posttest, the participants had a significant improvement (p = .004) and a moderate Hedge’s g effect size of -.54. From baseline to 12-month follow-up, there was a significant reduction in self-reported Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5 substance use symptoms (t = 4.68, df = 29, p < .001) and a large effect (Hedges’ g = .84). Discussion: Study applications, limitations, and strengths are discussed.