Date

5-1-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Jamie Clark

Keywords

recovery residences, rural areas, social model recovery, recovery capital, addiction recovery

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

This phenomenological study examined the experiences of individuals currently residing in rural recovery residences, with particular attention paid to perceived helpful factors and challenges regarding living in the residence as well as comparing residents’ experiences to individuals’ experiences in urban recovery residences as delineated by previous studies, as there is little current research examining rural recovery residences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 men who resided in rural recovery residences at the time of the study’s completion. Three research questions guided the interviews and the subsequent comparative analysis: How do individuals living in rural recovery residences describe their lived experiences with the perceived factors that they have found to be most helpful or most challenging regarding living in the residence? How do individuals living in rural recovery residences describe their overall experiences living in the residence compared to individuals in urban recovery residences? What, if any, are the differences and similarities regarding the perceived helpful characteristics or challenges of living in a rural versus an urban recovery residence? Thematic analysis revealed seven themes regarding helpful factors and challenges and three themes regarding overall experiences. Comparison with previous studied revealed multiple similarities and differences between individuals’ experiences in rural versus urban recovery residences. This study bridges the gap in understanding supporting factors and challenges regarding residing in a rural recovery residence, offering guidance for current and potential managers, owners, stakeholders, and community partners.

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