NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area, Sahtu Settlement Area, Dehcho Region, North Slave Region, South Slave Region, Qikiqtaaluk Region

Tags: health, addiction, satisfaction survey, community consultation

Objective(s): To provide more detailed insights into recovery supports and services in the Northwest Territories.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No.5472. This analysis will seek to provide more detailed insights into recovery supports and services in the Northwest Territories. Through secondary analysis of the data collected during the Addiction Recovery Experiences Survey, The research team will explore the role of social support in addiction recovery, examine whether there are demographic differences in satisfaction with services, and conduct qualitative analysis on written statements on the theme of stigma and confidentiality. This research will focus on four subject areas: the role of social support in recovery, satisfaction with recovery services, the impact of stigma, and confidentiality. Quantitative analysis will be conducted using R. Qualitative analysis will be completed using NVivo. Quantitative analysis will look at the demographics of individuals who report social support as important to their recovery, in both formal settings (e.g., peer support groups, such as AA) and informal ones (friends and family). This analysis will focus on demographic differences in: A)The use of, and satisfaction with, group counselling and peer support-based recovery services; B) Barriers to accessing group counselling and peer support-based recovery services; C) Reporting that relationships with others were factors that assisted their recovery; and, D) Reporting that relationships with others, or a lack of supportive relationships, were barriers to their recovery. Qualitative analysis will also seek to categorize written survey feedback by demographic information, and to examine whether there are differences in references to social support and recovery between demographic groups. Quantitative analysis will examine whether there are demographic differences between those that state that they are satisfied with recovery services and those that do not. During the original survey, respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction with services on four criteria: respect for individual needs and values, safety of the environment, overall changes in their life since receiving the service, and confidentiality. These ratings will be stratified by age, gender, and whether respondents are Indigenous or non-Indigenous to see if there are differences in satisfaction ratings between groups. A number of respondents commented about experiencing stigma about their addictions in their survey responses. While some qualitative analysis was conducted in the survey report, this study will examine demographic information and information about the services that respondents accessed, to provide insight into potential sources of stigma and their impact on recovery. Quantitative analysis will look for differences between demographic groups on whether respondents identified stigma as a barrier to accessing services, and as a barrier to recovery, as well as whether there are differences in experiences of stigma based on the kinds of services they accessed. Qualitative analysis will examine respondents' comments about stigma and explore whether demographic differences exist among reported experiences. Concerns about confidentiality were cited as a key barrier to accessing recovery services in survey responses. Quantitative analysis will look at whether there are demographic differences in barriers to access to recovery services related to concerns about confidentiality. Qualitative analysis will look at respondents’ comment and concerns regarding confidentiality and analyze this information for themes. Presentations on the findings of the data analysis will be presented to government stakeholders through the Problematic Substance Use committee, and the NWT Council of Leaders, made up of elected leaders of Indigenous Governments, will be offered a presentation on the findings. A press release will be provided once the research is accepted for publication and presentations offered to any interested stakeholders who would like to discuss the findings. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from June 23, 2023 to December 31, 2023.