Publication Date

4-1977

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Clinton Layne, Lois Layne, David Shiek

Degree Program

Department of Psychology

Degree Type

Master of Arts

Abstract

The relationships between two personality variables in alcoholics and motivation to seek treatment were examined in this study. The Psych -)logical Screening Inventory (PSI) was administered to a group of 73 alcoholics admitted to a detoxification unit. Before being discharged from the unit each alcoholic was referred to a treatment agency. Each alcoholic was then followed up at the agency to which he was referred. On the basis of this follow-up the alcoholics were divided into two groups; those seeking treatment and those not seeking treatment. No significant differences were found between the two groups on the personality variable measured on the PSI Discomfort scale. A significantly negative difference was found between the two groups on the personality variable measured by the PSI Social Nonconformity scale. The results suggest that discomfort is not a motivating factor in alcoholics' treatment seeking behavior. Results associated with social nonconformity suggest this factor is related to treatment seeking behavior. Several possible explanations for these unexpected findings are discussed. Need for further research in this area is demonstrated by this study and the available literature.

Disciplines

Health Psychology | Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

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