Psychology ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-28-2026

Abstract

Recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) is influenced by both positive emotional functioning and social connectedness. However, empirical research has yet to examine how these two protective factors interact to influence recovery. The present study aimed to address this gap by exploring positivity resonance, or the shared experience of positive emotions, in the first year of recovery. In Aim 1, we examined change trajectories of positivity resonance and recovery capital over the first year of recovery among adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD; n=470) and opioid use disorder (OUD; n=61), the associations between these change trajectories (1a), and the impact of positivity resonance on the association between salient social determinants of health and recovery capital (1b). In Aim 2, we conducted qualitative interviews (n=13) to better understand the ways in which positive social interactions impact individuals in early AUD recovery. Results suggested that positivity resonance remains somewhat linearly stable, but is consistently associated with recovery capital, during the first year of alcohol and opioid use disorder recovery. Qualitative results shed further light on these quantitative findings. Theoretical, clinical, and community implications, as well as future directions are discussed.

Degree Name

Psychology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Psychology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Margo Hurlocker, PhD

Second Committee Member

Katie Witkiewitz, PhD

Third Committee Member

Bettina Hoeppner, PhD

Fourth Committee Member

Noah Emery, PhD

Sponsors

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Language

English

Keywords

recovery, social connectedness, alcohol, opioid, social determinants of health

Document Type

Dissertation

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