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. 2013 Dec 1;133(2):633-40.
doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.08.006. Epub 2013 Aug 22.

The Twelve Promises of Alcoholics Anonymous: psychometric measure validation and mediational testing as a 12-step specific mechanism of behavior change

John F Kelly  1 , M Claire Greene
Affiliations

The Twelve Promises of Alcoholics Anonymous: psychometric measure validation and mediational testing as a 12-step specific mechanism of behavior change

John F Kelly et al. Drug Alcohol Depend. .

Abstract

Background: Empirical support for the recovery utility of 12-step mutual-help organizations (MHOs) has led to increased investigation of how such organizations confer benefit. The Twelve Promises of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) feature prominently in 12-step philosophy and culture and are one of the few documented explications of the cognitive, affective, and behavioral benefits that members might accrue. This study investigated the psychometric properties of a measure of AA's Twelve Promises and examined whether it mediated the effect of 12-step participation on abstinence.

Method: Young adults (N=302, M age 20.4 [1.6], range 18-25; 27% female; 95% White) enrolled in an addiction treatment effectiveness study completed assessments at intake and 3-, 6-, and 12-months post treatment including a 26-item, Twelve Promises Scale (TPS). Factor analyses examined the TPS' psychometrics and lagged mediational analyses tested the TPS as a mechanism of behavior change.

Results: Robust principal axis factoring extraction with Varimax rotation revealed a 2-factor solution explaining 45-58% of the variance across three administrations ("Psychological Wellbeing"=26-39%; "Freedom from Craving=17-21%); internal consistency was high (alpha=.83-.93). Both factors were found to increase in relation to greater 12-step participation, but significant mediation was found only for the Freedom from Craving factor explaining 21-34% of the effect of 12-step participation in increasing abstinence.

Conclusions: The TPS shows potential as a conceptually relevant, and psychometrically sound measure and may be useful in helping elucidate the extent to which the Twelve Promises emerge as an independent benefit of 12-step participation and/or explain SUD remission and recovery.

Keywords: 12-Step; Addiction; Alcoholics Anonymous; Recovery; Twelve Promises; Young adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest The authors have no conflict of interest, including specific financial interests and relationships and affiliations relevant to the subject of this manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Path diagram of the meditational model *Fully lagged model: Attendance/Involvement (1–3 months), Promises (3–6 months) and PDA (6–12 months) **Partially lagged model: Attendance/Involvement (4–6 months), Promises (6–12 months) and PDA (6–12 months)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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