Change in co-dependence and health promotion following participation in a program for family members of chemical dependents

Change in co-dependence and health promotion following participation in a family education program was investigated in 100 adult men (n = 31) and women (n = 69) attending one of three community education programs for families of chemical dependents. In addition, the relationship between co-dependence and health promotion in family members of chemical dependents both before and after participation in a family education program was examined. Using a one-group pretest/post-test design, co-dependence was measured by the Friel Co-Dependency Assessment Inventory (FCAI) and health promotion by the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP). Data revealed a statistically significant negative linear relationship between the two instruments on both the pretest scores (r = $-$0.61957, p =.0001, n = 87) and the post-test scores (r = $-$0.42363, p =.0030, n = 47). The relationship was also significant when FCAI pretest scores were regressed on HPLP pretest scores (F = 52.334, p =.0001), and FCAI post-test scores were regressed on HPLP post-test scores (F = 9.842, p =.0030). There was no statistically significant difference between pretest and post-test scores on the two instruments.

There was a significant predictive relationship among 20 demographic and life history variables and the pretest HPLP totals with the pretest FCAI totals (F = 13.558, p =.0001, n = 80), and among 13 demographic and life history variables and the post-test HPLP totals with the Post-test FCAI totals (F = 8.192, p =.0001, n = 45).

Analysis of high sample mortality (nearly two-thirds) yielded a significant discriminant function ($x\backslash sp2$ = 249.539, 190 DF, p =.0024) that resulted in correct classification of 90.63% of graduates, and 97.92% of dropouts. Chi-square analysis to determine if graduate or dropout status was independent of gender and family education program (FEP) group attended, found FEP group attended significant at 99.9% ($x\backslash sp2$ = 18.032, p =.000, n = 100) in determining graduate or dropout status.