Social Networks as Mediators of Proximal Recovery Outcomes for Veterans Living in Recovery Homes

Although the prevalence of alcohol and substance abuse among veterans has been long documented (Kulka et al., 1988; Tanielian et al., 2008), insufficient work has been done on veterans living within recovery homes such as Oxford House (OH). Approximately 18% of OH residents in the United States are veterans (Oxford House, 2015); however, only one study has looked at veteran status within OH (Majer, Jason, Ferrari, Venable, & Olson, 2002). In addition, no study has examined the social networks of veterans within recovery homes. Furthermore, although the relationship between length of stay (LOS) in an OH and various positive outcomes such as lower recidivism and higher abstinence self-efficacy have been demonstrated in previous studies (Jason, Davis, & Ferrari, 2007), the relationship between LOS and quality of life has not been examined among veterans. The current study aimed to: (a) determine if veterans living with other veterans have more cohesive social networks compared to veterans living with non-veterans; (b) assess whether there is a direct relationship between veteran status and quality of life; and (c) determine if social network cohesion mediates the relationship between veteran status and quality of life. Findings indicated that veterans living with other veterans had greater close friendship ties compared to veterans living with only non-veterans. However, veterans in either house type did not differ in regard to friendship density and reciprocity. No relationship was found between veteran status and quality of life. The study’s limitations and implications for future research are also discussed