Working alliance between substance abusing offenders and their parole officers and counselors: its impact on outcome and role as a mediator

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the working alliance that forms between substance-involved parolees and their parole officers and treatment counselors impacts significantly on their future adjustment net the effects of demographics, criminal/substance history, and treatment approach. Using the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Form (WAI), a sample of 449 parolees from the Step'n Out study rated their degree of alliance with their parole officer and counselor. Given that the two ratings were highly correlated (r = .61), they were averaged. Linear, Poisson, and negative binomial regression analyses revealed that the WAI predicted three out of four outcomes – less future drug use, fewer arrests, and fewer days spent in jail – after age, sex, race, treatment condition, prior substance misuse/criminality, and time at risk had been controlled. The WAI appeared to be a stronger predictor of future arrests and jail days in older parolees and a stronger predictor of jail days in parolees enrolled in the collaborative behavioral management condition. Further analysis revealed that the WAI mediated the relationship between study condition and drug use, arrests, and jail days. These findings indicate that a strong working alliance with one's parole officer and/or counselor is vital to future success on parole.