Ethnic identity, spirituality, and self-efficacy influences on treatment outcomes among Hispanic American methadone maintenance clients.

There is increasing concern over whether standard health care services, such as substance abuse treatment, adequately account for important cultural influences, yet studies focusing on the impact of cultural influences on substance abuse treatment continue to be limited. The current study prospectively examined the effects of two cultural factors (ethnic identity and spirituality) on substance abuse treatment outcomes among Hispanic American clients (N=114) enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment. In addition, this study examined whether a commonly studied treatment factor (i.e., self-efficacy) significantly influenced treatment outcomes. Higher levels of self-efficacy at intake were related to increased odds of reported heroin abstinence and a lower number of drugs used at 1-year follow-up. Greater levels of ethnic identity were related to a greater number of drugs used at follow-up. No significant effects were found for spirituality.