16PF research into addiction: meta-analysis and extension.

Meta-analysis of 34 studies on Cattell's 16PF test reveals ragged egos (C-), guilt (O), distrust (L), frustration (Q4), alienation (G-), vague identity (Q3-), alarm (H-), resentment (Q1), quasi-autism (M), scattered intellect (B-), grandiosity (E), autonomy (Q2), infantilism (I), avoidance (A-), and deviousness (N). The aberrant scores on E, G, I, Q1, and Q2 discriminate addicts from suicidals and the chronically ill or unemployed. We found nine types of addicts in our developmental study of 83 members of Alcoholics Anonymous. On the more stable second-order 16PF factors, 43% were highest on Autonomous, 37% on Desperate, 16% on Tough Poise, and 4% on Extravert. Profiles differed more by sexual preference than by gender. Recidivism was highest among homosexual men (38%) and the desperate (25%). Only the Fourth and Fifth Steps of the AA program seem crucial to recovery. Treatment programs based on these and tailored to sexual preference and the second-order personality types seem highly advisable.

16PF items discriminating recidivists and long-term recovered polyaddicts.

Responses to 65 of the 187 items on Cattell's 16PF test were skewed by 83 members of Alcoholics Anonymous. Seventeen of those items had significantly different distributions when the 18 recidivists were compared to the 8 who had remained clean of all addictive substances and compulsive behaviors during the 2-year period studied. Another 14 items had significantly different distributions when the recidivists were compared to all the others. Comparisons with non-drug-disadvantaged groups and non-AA recovering addicts are suggested in order to isolate empirical predictor items for "addictive" versus "cured" scales.