Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA)

Godley, Hedges, and Hunter summarize their research on A-CRA:

“This research provides evidence that A-CRA can be implemented with similar engagement, retention, and satisfaction and produce similar outcomes across gender and multiple racial groups, but much more research is needed to examine this and related research questions with A-CRA and other EBTs. The sample size for this dataset will continue to grow, with new cohorts being added in 2009 (14 sites) and 2010 (34 sites). A larger sample will provide the opportunity to examine additional questions related to subgroups’ responses to A-CRA. For example, Szapocznik et al. (2006) have recommended work to examine the mediators through which therapeutic interventions produce change with Hispanic adolescents or specifically with female Hispanics, and this dataset would allow examination of these types of questions by racial/gender groups. It also would be possible to examine whether outcomes differ with ethnic matching of clinicians and adolescents (e.g., Flicker et al., 2008; Wintersteen, Mensinger, & Diamond, 2005). We expect that the adolescent substance use treatment population will continue to grow in diversity in the United States, and additional studies of this nature will help build knowledge about the relative effectiveness of EBTs with different gender, racial, and cultural groups” (p. 152)

Godley, S. H., Hedges, K., & Hunter, B. (2011). Gender and racial differences in treatment process and outcome among participants in the adolescent community reinforcement approach. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 25(1), 143–154.doi:10.1037/a0022179