Non-Christians must really dislike Resilient Recovery Groups, right?

This week, I asked people who attended Resilient Recovery Groups to provide me with some feedback via a short feedback form.

The feedback form was offered to people in our Church-based Resilient group, two rehabs that serve Native Americans, and a voluntary home for men in recovery.

Demographic data were not collected. However, I know that the sample was about 25% female. About 40% are Native American. Religious affiliation varied from “Spiritual but not religious” to traditional Native American practices to Christianity.

I collected 23 responses. I excluded 8 people because they attended a Resilient Recovery Group 1 time or less. Three online groups were also excluded due to the difficulty in collecting the feedback anonymously online.

The form had three questions and space for feedback.

• Q1: In Resilient Recovery, we discuss TOPICS THAT ARE IMPORTANT to me and my recovery. (4.78)

• Q2: Resilient Recovery Group HELPED me in my recovery. (4.70)

• Q3 My FAITH was Strengthened through Resilient Recovery Group. (4.57)

Participants rated each question on a scale of 1-5. Raw averages were calculated for each of the variables. One respondent circled 3 on Q3. Otherwise, all ratings were 4s or 5s.

Because I am a HUGE geek, I also conducted a t-test to see if the people that meet at church like the program more than people who are in rehab and voluntary homes.

I suspected that people who attend the church group would rate the program much higher because a) they attend on a completely voluntary basis, and b) they are Christians who sought out Resilient Recovery Groups specifically because it is Christian. For individuals in the non-church groups, the choice of Resilient came from the management of the rehab or home. And some are not Christian.

However, there were no differences between the Church Resilient Recovery Group and the other groups.

Here are the participant’s comments:

• Thank you very much & please keep me in your prayers for strength. Thanks and God Bless

• This Group helps me deal with my sobriety and mental health. Very good instructor :)

• Patient. Gives us [time] to think. Look for a better future.

• Today was a good day & group. And a blessing for all of us.

• Great discussions. Client Feedback and participation is improving.

• Jason, Thank you for your time and wisdom.

• I enjoyed the topics of discussion

• Thanks, Great program!

• I enjoyed today's movie, lunch, and our usual group discussions. Thank you for coming.

• Great Job. Keep doing what you are doing. Thank you.

• I'm Learning to get back into the race so I can live and do God's will-and I pray I do. Thank you for coming. I've been getting stronger every day with prayers!

• [I] Can't wait until Wed for Bible study [Resilient Group] every week.

• Good, Good, Good

• Love you guys for coming and make [sic] my day happy.

• But don't rest on your laurels. :) I like how it is constantly evolving.

Conclusion: In general, participants in Resilient believe it covers important topics, is helpful, and strengthens their faith. This is true across several contexts, regardless of religious affiliation.

I suspect that facilitator behavior contributes to the positive scores. The program would not be rated as positive if the facilitator was perceived as rigid, dogmatic, or critical. The next step will be to discover what facilitator behavior is helpful or detrimental to the participant’s perception of the Resilient Recovery Group.