Positive Associations between Women’s Employment at the Community-Level and Opportunities and Interpersonal Sharing within Recovery Homes

Abstract

The background of this study was an investigation of a sustainability issue involving how to deal with increasing deaths due to substance use as well as housing instability among those with substance use problems. Our study investigated the relationship between community-level women’s employment and two key variables within Oxford House recovery homes: levels of employment and the sharing of resources among residents. These variables are crucial for the sustainability of recovery homes as they contribute to maintaining an ecological balance in communities. For our methods, we gathered data from recovery homes located in three different regions of the United States. The focus was on examining how women’s employment rates in these communities correlate with the employment statuses of house residents and their resource-sharing behaviors. Regarding the results, we found a positive association between rates of employment among women in these communities and employment within the recovery housesand resource lending among residents. We conclude that women’s employment at the community-level appears to be a significant macro-level factor that promotes supportive social and environmental policies. These community-level policies enhance employment opportunities and encourage interpersonal sharing within recovery homes, contributing to ecological balance and sustainability in terms of environmental, economic, and social dimensions.