| dc.description.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. | en_US |
