Dennis M. Donovan

Social skill acquisition and psychosocial development of alcoholics: A review

Abstract Studies with data on male prealcoholics and alcoholics are reviewed. The review concentrates on studies which relate to social skill acquisition and the development of interpersonal competence. The role of modeling and family structure; peer relationships in high school, college and adult life; and the effects of alcohol on social responses are considered. The evidence suggests that a social skill acquisition model is a promising one for research on the development and maintenance of problem drinking behaviors.

Personality characteristics related to treatment decisions among inpatient alcoholics: A non‐relationship

A battery of standard personality and experimental research scales was administered to 110 male alcoholic inpatients. No differences were found on the 30 scale scores derived from the tests among three groups with differential treatment dispositions: (1) those who discontinued treatment after a 2-week evaluation period; (2) those who chose to remain for a 60-day treatment program, but discontinued prior to completion; and (3) those who chose and did complete the 60-day program. It was suggested that attrition from an inpatient alcoholism program might be predicted better by a multivariate approach that used demographic, life history, psychosocial and personality variables as predictors.

Changes in perceived and experienced control among inpatient alcoholics

The Locus of Control and Experienced Control Scales were administered to 40 alcoholics shortly after admission to a rehabilitation program and again after approximately 6 weeks of treatment. During the course of treatment, the Ss evidenced an overall shift toward a more internal locus of control, an increase in the magnitude and relative degree of control experienced over interpersonal and intrapersonal pressures, and a decrease in the magnitude of control exerted on them by such pressures. The overall increase in the proportionate control experienced appeared to be accounted for by shifts made by those Ss who entered treatment with an initially internal locus of control.

Relationships among locus of control, self-concept, and anxiety

Sixty male alcoholic inpatients were administered the Locus of Control scale (IE), the Activity Preference Questionnaire (APQ), the Manifest Anxiety scale (MAS), and the Tennessee Self Concept scale (TSCS). Ss defined as having an external locus of control appeared significantly more anxious than internal Ss on the MAS; however, no differences were found between groups on the APQ or TSCS scales. The self-report (MAS) and nonobtrusive (APQ) measures of anxiety were not correlated significantly. A differential pattern of correlations was found between the MAS and APQ and TCSC subscale scores. The obtained correlations support the contention that the MAS may measure more accurately a dimension of neuroticism and/or negative self-concept rather than anxiety. Further research appears necessary to investigate the internal consistency and dimensionality of the MAS.

Relationship between psychopathology, experienced control and perceived locus of control: In search of alcoholic subtypes

Alcoholic Ss were categorized into four subtypes based upon differential levels of perceived locus of control and experienced control. The relationship between generalized psychopathology, as measured by the MMPI, and subtype classification was investigated. Alcoholics with an internal locus of control and high levels of experienced control exhibited the least psychopathology. The greatest degree of psychopathology was found among Ss with an external locus of control and minimal levels of experienced control. The implications of these results with respect to psychosocial functioning and drinking behavior among alcoholic subgroups were discussed.

INTERPERSONAL DIFFERENTIATION, LOCUS OF CONTROL AND COGNITIVE STYLE AMONG ALCOHOLICS

The present study investigated the relationship between Rotters Locus of Control Scale (I-E) and 2 measures of cognitive style, the Group Embedded-figures Test and the Interpersonal Discrimination Test, for 50 alcoholics. The I-E scale did not correlate significantly with either the embedded-figures (r = .18) or the discrimination test (r = .13); the latter two scales correlated significantly (r = .30). It was concluded that perceived locus of control and cognitive style are independent constructs.

PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND DEFENSIVE STYLE OF ALCOHOLICS AS A FUNCTION OF CONGRUENCE-INCONGRUENCE BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGICAL DIFFERENTIATION AND LOCUS OF CONTROL

Witkins psychological differentiation construct and Rotters locus of control construct were studied independently and in interaction to assess their ability to predict psychopathology and defensive style in a sample of 160 adult, male alcoholics. As predicted, locus of control was significantly correlated with both psychopathology and defensive style and field articulation was significantly correlated with defensive style. However, the congruent and incongruent construct was not significantly related to either psychopathology or defensive style.

Relationship between distortions in self-perception of depression and psychopathology.

The present study investigated the relationship between distortions in self-perceived depression and generalized psychopathology. Alcoholic inpatients were asked to choose the more depressed patient in each pair of a paired-comparison rating task. Patients also were administered the Beck Depression Inventory as an objective measure of depression and the MMPI as a measure of overall psychopathology. Individuals who had a marked discrepancy between their self-perceived and objectively measured level of depression had significant elevations (T-score greater than 70) on 5 of the 10 MMPI clinical scales. The High Distortion group, whose mean MMPI profile was categorized as psychiatric, appeared to be more depressed, anxious, socially immature and alienated and to have increased difficulties in thinking and communication than Ss in the Low Distortion group. These findings substantiate the hypothesis that an individuals inability to perceive accurately the level of his depression is related to a greater degree of overall psychopathology.