Measuring Architecture in Recovery Homes: Recovery Home Architecture Scale. (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Polcin, Douglas L.; Mahoney, Elizabeth; Witbrodt, Jane; Mericle, Amy A.; Subbaraman, Meenakshi; Wittman, Friedner D.
• Is Part Of: Substance use & misuse. Volume 58:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 110
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: Architecture -- recovery home -- social environment -- sober living house -- social model; Narcotic habit -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Behavior, Addictive -- Periodicals; Sustance-Related Disorders -- Periodicals; 362.2905
• DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2148484
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1082-6084

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : The settings where we live shape our daily experiences and interactions. Social environment and physical setting characteristics may be particularly important in communal living services, such as recovery homes for alcohol and drug disorders. Objectives : This paper describes the measurement and mobilization of architectural characteristics in one type of recovery home, sober living houses (SLHs). The Recovery Home Architecture Scale (RHAS) is a 25-item measure comprised of six subscales designed to assess architecture in SLHs. Results : Using a sample of 528 individuals residing in 41 houses, we found the RHAS had good interrater reliability, factor structure, and internal consistency. The measure also showed modest construct validity. The RHAS was not associated with length of stay (LOS) but did interact with a measure of the social environment that predicted LOS, the Recovery Home Environment Scale (RHES). Conclusions : Future studies should include a more diverse sample of SLHs and assess how house management, recovery capital, and other factors work in concert with architecture.