ABSTRACT
Development of a measure of parallel dimensions of cognitive and behavioral dysfunction related to substance abuse is described. Dimensions were assessed in alcohol and polydrug abusers entering treatment and social drinkers. Dimensions included quantity/frequency of use, physiological symptoms, situational stressors, antisocial behaviors, interpersonal problems, affective dysfunction, attitude toward treatment, degree of life impact, and three use expectancies. Principal component analysis of the dimensions and expectancies yielded three factors; behavioral/physiological, social, and cognitive. Although the groups could be discriminated statistically, alcohol and polydrug abusers exhibited relatively similar patterns of dysfunction across the dimensions and expectancies, with alcohol abusers demonstrating greater intensity or degree of dysfunction in several areas on admission to treatment. Implications of the findings with respect to multidimensional models of substance abuse and use of the dimensions in treatment matching and outcome research are discussed.
Subject(s)
Alcoholism/psychology , Cognition Disorders/psychology , Psychotropic Drugs , Social Behavior , Substance-Related Disorders/psychology , Adult , Alcoholism/rehabilitation , Female , Humans , Male , Personality Assessment/statistics & numerical data , Psychometrics , Social Desirability , Social Environment , Substance-Related Disorders/rehabilitationABSTRACT
Examined the effects of a computer-based administration procedure on reliability and validity of a personality questionnaire. Utilizing a counterbalanced repeated-measures design, Form A of the 16PF was administered to 80 undergraduates who had been randomly assigned to either computer-computer, computer-booklet, booklet-computer, or booklet-booklet administration conditions. Subjects also completed a self-report anxiety measure before and after each administration of the 16PF. Multivariate analyses revealed no significant differences in score reliability, validity, or self-reported anxiety among the four administration conditions. Small yet significant differences were noted with respect to ratings of the assessment experience. Subjects in the two groups which were exposed to both administration formats rated the computer procedure as more positive in comparison to the booklet format. Due to the student sample, replication of these findings with treatment-seeking clients is needed.
Subject(s)
Cognition Disorders/psychology , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Psychological Tests , Thinking , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Psychometrics , Set, PsychologyABSTRACT
Previous discussions of verbal persuasion techniques utilized in cognitive restructuring have been relatively general and imprecise. This lack of specification has made comparisons between treatment procedures and research regarding the efficacy of verbal persuasion procedures difficult. Drawing from diverse discussions of persuasive techniques, those verbal persuasion procedures considered applicable within the context of a therapeutic relationship are individually specified and discussed. The attempt to systematize verbal techniques is intended to provide a tentative nomenclature by which the verbal aspect of various cognitive therapies may be put within a firmly established framework.
