Determining the Relative Effectiveness of Faith-Based and Secular
Substance Abuse Treatment Service Providers: A Comparison of Client
Outcomes
Thomas Gais, Ph.D. & Amelia Arria, Ph.D.
Rockefeller Institute State University of New York & University of
Maryland
Proposal Summary: The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of religiosity on patient outcomes in substance abuse treatment programs. Participants will be assigned to programs that vary in religiosity, and researchers will measure outcomes such as abstinence, employment, criminal behavior and independent living. Researchers will examine possible mediating factors and causal paths involving religion which may account for program impacts by asking participants about specific religious aspects of the programs.
