GENDER-MATCHING AND ITS EFFECTS ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE THERAPY:A STUDY OF SUBSTANCE REHABILITATION CENTERS IN ABUJA, F.C.T
Abstract
This study examines the effects of matching clients and therapists on the basis of their gender using working alliance inventory Short-Kokotowitc (WAI-SK) as a measure of therapeutic outcomes. This study used a quantitative design, samples were collected randomly. 26
Nigerian drug addicts, 13 male, and 13femalewere chosen from rehabilitation centers across Abuja,measured using the WAI-SK short form. Participants were issued two copies of the form, one for each sex of therapist (Male/Female), and were asked to complete it with their respective therapists in mind.Scores were Analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). No significant difference was found in the therapeutic bond between male/female of therapist.The findings therefore present a strong case against the need for matching patients to therapists on the basis of gender.
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
The therapeutic relationship is often wrought with many hurdles and many conditions which may be of benefit to the therapist, the match between the gender of the therapist and his/her client being of either benefit or impairment to the therapeutic process, (Carter & Anderson, 1982).
The therapeutic process; which may be defined in terms of psychological interactions and transformations which a client undergoes while engaged by a therapist, (De Rivera,
1992).Therapy can be thought of as treatment or care carried out on an individual by a trained specialist with the aim of protecting or improving their mental health, (Etymonline, 2020).
Furthermore, “gender” as a concept differs from “Sex”, the topic emphasizes gender over sex in regards to therapy because of the subjective underpinnings of the therapeutic process, consider the therapist like a physician of the mind who applies a wide variety of techniques and principles towards the eventual goal of bringing the client to neurotypically; which is a generally agreed upon point of normal human cognition and emotional affect,(Money, 1955; de Rivera, 1992).
Sex itself can be defined as the genetic and biological determinants of a person’s phenotypical qualities as it relates to reproduction, whereas gender can be either be the social roles attributed to a person based on their sex within a given society or their own awareness or reaction to these roles, (Money, 1955).
It is common practice in clinical settings to assign therapists to their clients based on certain affiliate qualities they possess, this is “Matching”, the process is thought to enhance the overall success of therapy, (Carter & Anderson, 1982). Clients are matched with their therapists/councilors based on demographic or personality similarities when necessary, but more often therapists are trained to accommodate for these differences, “Gender Matching” in this sense is assigning a patient to a therapist based on gender, which is to say; a female therapist to a male client or vice versa, (Bhati, 2014; de Rivera, 1992).
1.2 Statement of Problem
Clients enrolled in substance Rehabilitation often have difficulty engaging with their therapists (NIDA, 2012). This has been blamed on a number of issues particularly the gender match of the client and therapist (Carter & Anderson, 1982). Based on observation this study posits that the cultural makeup of Nigeria creates a barrier of taboo in discretion of topics between client and therapist of opposite sex, female clients may not feel comfortable disclosing to their male therapists and vice versa, this can lead to poor outcomes in therapy as the therapist cannot properly assess the client’s issues, the success of therapy has been shown to be an indicator of overall success in rehabilitation, (Lamb, Greenlick&mccarty, 1998).Gender matching has been shown to be a major contributor to the success or failure of therapy, (Shiner et al, 2018). This has been of concern and has prompted this study to add to the knowledge that exists on this topic and to stimulate further studies with the result obtained from this study.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The study aims to determine whether or not matching clients to their therapists based on gender could have a significant effect on the outcomes of therapy
This research will be looking into the effect of the variable; gender-match on the projected outcome of therapy using working alliance as a measure
1.4Research Questions
The questions put forward by this study are as follows;
- Is there a relationship between gender matching and the outcomes of therapy?
1.5Research Hypothesis
H1: female therapist to male client and female therapist to female client will have greater working alliance score than male therapist to male client and male therapist to female client.
1.6 Significance of the Study
Much research has been carried out in the area of client therapist matching based on heuristics (Carter & Anderson, 1982). However, very little has been done relating to substance abuse and more so in Nigeria. This research aims at exploring that niche(AJOL, 2020; AJOL 2020).
This study looks at a basic part of drug addiction management which is the therapy, therapy can be a great tool of change if it is successful, however as before mentioned many factors can affect therapeutic outcomes, the chief of these is the therapeutic bond between client and therapist, which can be the starting point to gradual progress of management and treatment, (Carter & Anderson, 1982).
Gender-matching in substance use therapy would be of great use if properly developed and applied, in this way clients can be matched to a therapist based on basic agreeable qualities which can then facilitate progress in rehabilitation
1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study
The Study limits itself to substance abuse therapy and the match between client and therapist, though other factors as previously mentioned have an impact on the outcomes of therapy, such as social stigma of being in a rehabilitation center, inability to afford treatment, social responsibilities preventing one from having the time to attend treatment, and underlying psychological dispositions, (Green, Et al, 2002).
The study has been conducted using data gathered from substance abuse rehabilitation centers within Abuja, Nigeria
1.8. Operational Definitions
Male client: male client, someone undergoing rehabilitation who is male
Female client: female client, someone undergoing rehabilitation who is female
Female therapist: female therapist, a female carrying out therapy for the purpose of rehabilitating a client
Male therapist: Male therapist, a male carrying out therapy for the purpose of rehabilitating a client.
WAI: Working Alliance Inventory
WA: Working Alliance
GENDER-MATCHING AND ITS EFFECTS ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE THERAPY:A STUDY OF SUBSTANCE REHABILITATION CENTERS IN ABUJA, F.C.T