Browsing by Subject "Alcoholics"
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Item A comparison of certain ego defensive mechanisms in three groups of alcoholics(Texas Tech University, 1971-08) Kluge, Charles ANot availableItem A semantic differential measurement of caregivers' attitudes toward the alcoholic(Texas Tech University, 1973-05) Algeo, John DerisNot availableItem A descriptive study of the relationship of selected neuropsychological factors and cognitive learning styles of alcoholics(2003) Sanders, Nick; Shorkey, Clayton T.; Hudspeth, DeLayne R.Educational theories and practices that substantiate effective learning and development are seldom emphasized in the psychoeducational component of recovery programs for alcoholism. The primary purpose of this research was to study the relationship between selected neuropsychological and personality variables and cognitive learning styles of alcoholics during different lengths of time alcohol free. The whole population in this study consisted of 126 male and female self-selected subjects ranging in age from 18 to 65 years. Ethnic backgrounds were mixed. All subjects identified themselves as alcoholics. Subjects were associated with a psychoeducational treatment center and Alcoholics Anonymous. The whole group had from 0 days of sobriety to 35 years of abstinence. Subjects completed a demographic instrument, two cognitive tests (Shipley Institute of Living Scale-Vocabulary and Abstraction Test-SILS and the Group Embedded Figures Test -GEFT) and one learning styles inventory (Kolb Learning Styles Inventory-LSI). The mean IQ scores on the SILS for ethnic subjects and the group with 28 days or less sobriety were significantly lower than the white-non-Hispanic with 29 days or more sobriety. A need for more ethnic representation in the study limited some results. Interaction effects were identified between those subjects with less than 28 days of sobriety and 29 days or more sobriety on SILS vocabulary and abstraction scores. The two sample groups (newly sober and longer term sober) did not show a significant difference in abstraction skills on the GEFT. Field dependence was not a significant outcome. The SILS T- scores were higher than the average scores suggested in the SILS testing manual. Interaction effects between ethnicity and education were identified suggesting these variables may be as significant in this group as length of sobriety. More research was recommended to identify the vocabulary of recovery since addiction literature indicates that alcoholics with higher cognitive restructuring skills may have longer terms of sobriety. No specific learning style was identified for the group by the data from the Kolb LSI. Since the LSI pointed toward more individualized instruction for the group, the study suggests Vygotskian theories of dynamic assessment and attention to the curriculum and instruction of recovery programs may be applicable when designing instruction for the psychoeducational component of recovery programs and may be as important in recovery as length of sobriety during treatment.Item Differences in perception of relationships as a function of degree of alcohol related dimensions(Texas Tech University, 1991-05) Wilson, Sheri E.The purpose of the present study is to examine the differences between FHP and FHN populations in terms of their beliefs regarding expectations about interpersonal relationships. To date, no studies on FHP individuals have included measures of beliefs people hold about intimate relationships. Differences in an individual's readiness to respond to interpersonal relationships are due to individual dispositions. Although the pattern for predispositions toward interpersonal relationships is presumably acquired through past experiences and environmental factors, it is possible that different sets of beliefs are associated with transgenerational drinking pattems and heritability factors such as temperament traits that are characteristic of those with FHP. Theorists emphasizing the importance of data pertaining to temperaments in providing assistance in diagnosis and treatment have not, to date, linked the effects of difficult temperaments with irrational beliefs, nor have those studying the concept of belief states linked the effects of belief states with temperamental measiu^s, even though previous reviews have yielded adequate information about the importance of both constructs in terms of social and emotional wellbeing. Yet to be investigated are the effects that difficult temperaments have on individual belief states. Additionally, there has been no systematic study linking FHP histories, perceptions of subjects' view of family support, difficult temperaments, and beliefs these persons have about intimate relationships. Furthermore, studies that have investigated temperament traits and alcoholism (Tarter et al., 1985), or temperaments and FHP individuals (Tarter, Laird, Kabane, Bukstein, & Kaminer, 1990), have several limitations such as the use of small sample sizes, restrictions in range and a general failure to analyze gender differences. In fact, there is no study that includes (or examines) FHP females and their intercorrelations with temperament In terms of alcohol dependency, considering the preponderance of evidence indicating the increasing equal ratios between gender, it seems appropriate if not essential to analyze the effects of family history, temperament dimensions and FES variables with females as well as the male offspring of alcoholics. Also important is Tarter's (in press) notion that certain temperament traits may not be specific to alcoholism but rather may predispose some type of socio-behavior problem that may carry over to other aspects of life functioning (i.e., intimate relationships).Item Ego Strength and Defense Mechanisms in Male and Female Alcoholics(Texas Tech University, 1972-05) Clemens, Vivian MNot Available.Item Neuropsychological impairments associated with antisocial personality and alcoholism(Texas Tech University, 1997-05) Barrette, HeleneThe present study sought to extend previous research on neuropsychological impairments associated with antisocial personality and alcoholism in two ways. First, this study tried to clarify contradictory results among studies by providing a better homogeneity of subjects. A clear distinction between diagnoses of alcoholism, antisocial personality disorder, and antisocial behaviors was made. Second, previous research suggests an association between localization of brain impairments with clinical diagnoses. The present study tried to clarify hypotheses relating diffuse brain impairments with alcoholism, and frontal lobe impairments with antisocial personality disorder. Subjects were classified into one of five groups: (1) ALC, (2) ASPD, (3) ALC+AS, (4) ASPD+ALC, and (5) control group-AS, and were asked to complete several neuropsychological tests. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference between alcoholic and antisocial subjects on each of the neuropsychological test measure. However, discriminant analysis showed that, when the neuropsychological variables were considered together, six of the 13 measures were able to correctly classified 80.65% of alcoholic and antisocial subjects. Antisocial personality disorder tended to be associated with frontal lobe deficits but no definitive conclusion could be reached in regard to the hypothesis that alcoholism may produce diffuse brain impairments. Due to the small sample size, results found in this study are tentative and further research is needed to assess the generalization of the present findings to other population samples.Item Social conformity in chronic and crucial alcoholics(Texas Tech University, 1971-12) Jackson, Tommie McCallNot availableItem The development of an MMPI based scale to measure personal responsibility(Texas Tech University, 1983-12) Federman, Robert WilliamThe idea that humans are responsible for themselves is founded in existential philosophy and has been considered basic to mental health by writers of various persuasions. The purpose of the study was to develop and provisionally validate a self-report instrument to measure this concept. A definition of personal responsibility was derived which synthesized the ideas of Glassar, Rotter, and Ganthner, and included the elements of personal accountability, capability, and unselfishness. To operationalize this construct, 125 items were selected from the item pool of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) which seemed to relate to the derived definition of personal responsibility and ware sorted by 20 judges from various disciplines resulting in an initial personal responsibility (PRE) scale of 58 items at 80% interjudge agreement. The PRE scale was intended as a special MMPI scale rather than for independent use. To assess its psychometric qualities, 132 Anglo-American males between the ages of 18 and 55 hospitalized at two state hospitals for treatment of alcoholism ware administered the MMPI with the imbedded PRE scale and were also given the I-E Scale and Purpose in Life Test. Subjects ware concurrently rated by hospital staff using the MACC Behavioral Adjustment Scale - Revised. Two supplemental subject groups consisted of 38 outpatient alcoholic and 30 normal Anglo males who ware given identical tasting but not behaviorally rated. While good reliabilities for the PRE scale were obtained, the behavioral ratings were unrelated to the PRE scale or the other standardized measures. However, moderate to high correlations were obtained between the PRE scale and several standardized MMPI scales and the I-E Scale and Purpose in Life Test, and there were significant differences on PRE scale scores between hospitalized alcoholics and the two supplemental subject groups. The findings provided only tentative support for the PRE scale. In addition, high correlations with several standardized empirically derived MMPI scales raised the issue of scale redundancy which could have been fatal to further PRE scale development had the scale not been based on item content. Substantially more research will be needed with other subject groups before the PRE scale can be adequately evaluated.Item The relationship of typologies and length of abstinence to alcohol relapse(Texas Tech University, 1992-08) Shanks, Debra AnnIt has been estimated that relapse rates for alcohol addiction is in the 50% to 90% range with about two-thirds of these relapses occurring within the first 90 days following treatment (Hunt, Barnett, S. Branch, 1971; Marlatt & Gordon, 1980). Individuals who have alcoholic parents are more likely to abuse alcohol even when they have been adopted away in infancy (Schuckit, Goodwin, & Winokur, 1972; Goodwin, Schulsinger, & Hermansen, 1973; Cadoret & Gath, 1978; and Cadoret, Cain, & Grove, 1980). This suggests that at least in some forms of alcoholism there is considerable genetic influence. Cloninger, Bohman, & Sigvardsson (1981) postulated the existence of distinct alcohol subgroups entitled type I and type II. Type II alcoholics are characterized by (1) early onset of alcoholism before 25 years of age, (2) repeated social and legal difficulties, and (3) initial admission for treatment before 30 years of age. Type I alcoholics are characterized by (1) later onset of problem drinking, (2) No necessary social/legal difficulties, and (3)initial admission for treatment later than 30 years of age. This typology was developed from an adoption study in which genetic and environmental factors were separated. This project compared the factors influencing individuals who relapse shortly after treatment completion with the factors influencing those individuals who relapse after an extended period of time. The aim was to attempt to discover differences in the occurrence of relapse thereby providing information which would aid in the development of treatments to deal with the causes of failure.Item Variables associated with recovery in male and female alcoholics following hospitalization(Texas Tech University, 1966-08) Davis, Harry GraysonNot available