School of Enrollment and Perceptions of Life Satisfaction among Adolescents Experiencing Substance Use Disorders

ABSTRACTPurpose: This study continues to build evidence for the effectiveness of Recovery High Schools as a continuing care intervention for youth experiencing substance use disorders. The study examined associations of life satisfaction and student perceptions of social support based on gender and school enrollment in a sample of 246 high school adolescents. Methods: Study participants were adolescents 14–19 years of age who met the criteria for a substance use disorder diagnosis according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5). This cross-sectional analysis used data from the larger Effectiveness of Recovery High Schools as Continuing Care Study (NIDA, 5R01DA029785-02). Results: Results indicate that school of enrollment made an independent contribution to student’s life satisfaction. Students enrolled in Recovery High Schools reported higher levels of life satisfaction when compared to those enrolled in non-recovery high schools. There were no significant differen...