ABSTRACT
Relations between specific physical features, attractiveness, and psychological adjustment of alcoholic inpatients were examined. Measures were obtained during the first week of admission and 6 weeks later (within 2 weeks of discharge). The nine physical features assessed formed three factors: face, facial expression, and body. The face factor was more strongly related to history of substance abuse than was either of the other factors. Further, the results suggested that alcoholism-related face features may be responsible for the documented relation between ratings of overall physical attractiveness and ratings of adjustment obtained at admission to a chemical dependency program; however, positive changes in body features less specifically related to a history of substance abuse (posture and grooming) are associated with counselors' ratings of improved patient adjustment over time.
