A psychological profile of alcoholics at the termination of treatment

Abstract

In chapter one the motivation for investigating the psychological profile of male alcoholics was suggested. His past pathological history, his present anxiety about his future when he re-enters his environment were mentioned. In chapter two the literature review highlighted definitions of terms like "alcoholic" and "alcoholism". Psychological and physiological viewpoints are stressed. Classifications of types of alcoholics and phases of alcoholism models are presented. Profiles of alcoholics centre around psychophysiological features with the emphasis on the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamus. Jellinek's disease model supplies central concepts like dependence, tolerance, loss of control, withdrawal and relapse. Controlled drinking by alcoholics is cited as a counter theory to the disease model. Psyhcoanalytic models emphasize oral dependency, parent-child relationships, dependency conflicts, infantile neuroticism and inferiority factors. The clinical profiles of male alcoholics are quoted. Importance is laid on a weak ego, stimulus augmentation, field dependence and neurotic symptomology. Conflict and the role of coping mechanisms in dealing with frustration are integral parts of the alcoholic as a neurotic personality. The main spotlight falls on anxiety and depression. The existentialistic profile 0f alcoholics draws mostly from Frankl's theories of searching for meaning. Learning and conditioning principles lend support for the tension-reduction model hypothesis of alcoholism. In chapter three the method of investigation, the test battery and statistical procedures are referred to. The test battery consists of a biographical questionnaire, the 16PF Questionnaire, IPAT Anxiety Scale, Zung Self Rating Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Purpose In Life Test and the Seeking of Noetic Goals Test. Statistical procedures used are ~he mean, standard deviation, Chi-square and factor analysis.

Chapter four contains the results,discussion and interpretation of the test battery. Anxiety is clearly indicated while depression_ is not severe. Physical symptoms, emptiness, life dissatisfaction~ poor self-concept and guilt stand out as component factors. Purpose In Life scores show that the sample tends to lack a purpose in life and that they are motivated to seek meaningful goals.