Psychometric Properties of the Recovery Home Environment Scale

Bibliographic Data

ID21646303
AuthorsDouglas L Polcin (0000-0002-6518-8628, Behavioral Health and Recovery Studies, Public Health Institute, Oakland, California, USA, corresponding author), Elizabeth Mahoney (0000-0001-5882-8327, Behavioral Health and Recovery Studies, Public Health Institute, Oakland, California, USA), Amy A Mericle (0000-0002-5615-0310, Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, Emeryville, California, USA)
Year2021
Volume56
Issue8
Pages1161-1168
Publication date2021-07-03
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSubstance Use & Misuse (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1082-6084 • E-ISSN: 1532-2491
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10826084.2021.1910710
PMID33870847
OpenAlexW3156736556
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited23

BACKGROUND: Recovery homes for persons with alcohol and drug problems provide an abstinent living environment and social support for recovery. Research shows residents in these homes make significant, sustained improvements. However, descriptions of recovery environments within the homes have been limited. PURPOSE: The current study assessed psychometric properties for the Recovery Home Environment Scale (RHES), which assessed social environments within one type of recovery home, sober living houses (SLHs). METHODS: 373 residents were interviewed at entry into the house, 1-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up. Measures included the RHES, other measures of the social environment, days of substance use, and length of stay. RESULTS: Principal components analysis suggested the RHES was largely unidimensional. Exploratory factor analysis suggested items could be grouped into recovery support (3 items) and recovery skills (5 items). Cronbach's alphas for the full scale and the recovery support and recovery skills subscales were 0.91, 0.89, and 0.87, respectively. As hypothesized, construct validity of the RHES was supported by correlations with other measures of the social environment and predictive validity was supported by associations with length of stay and substance use. CONCLUSIONS: SLHs have been described as "the setting is the service." However, the field has lacked a way to capture characteristics of the social environment. The RHES represents a new way to measure the recovery environment by focusing on social interactions among residents within SLHs and shared activities in the community

Construct validity · Content validity · Cronbach's alpha · Exploratory factor analysis · Psychometrics · Social support · Clinical Psychology · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Psychology · Social Psychology · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes · Gerontology

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