Enhancing life satisfaction among individuals receiving methadone treatment: The contribution of childhood experiences, personal variables, and therapeutic alliance with the social worker

This study examines life satisfaction in individuals receiving methadone treatment (MT) at a public healthcare clinic in Israel, using an ecological perspective to assess multiple influencing factors. A total of 180 participants completed surveys on childhood parenting styles, sense of belonging, self-esteem, and therapeutic alliance with the social worker in the healthcare setting. High sense belonging and self-esteem, as well as a strong therapeutic alliance, were positively correlated with life satisfaction. Conversely, non-adaptive parenting styles were related to lower life satisfaction. Therapeutic alliance mediated the associations between self-esteem and sense of belonging to life satisfaction, underscoring the critical role social workers play in enhancing well-being. The importance of potential strategies to enhance life satisfaction and integration into society for individuals in MT within health and social care environments is discussed.