Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts in the Department of Social Work University of Zululand, South Africa, 1993. / This study analyses relapse behaviour among some African alcohol abusers and alcoholics in certain areas of the Lower Umfolozi Magisterial district- It also describes and examines the treatment approaches used professionally to deal with such clients/patients, as well as the institutional programmes available for them. An explorative-descriptive research approach was used. Data was gathered from both primary and secondary services. Interviewing was the major research technique used for collecting primary data. Structured and unstructured interviews were held with clients/patients, some family members, and a few professional people. The researcher intended to obtain a comprehensive picture of the problem. The field study was undertaken over a three months period. Literature study and perusal of files stretched over a year to gain familiarity with the subject under study. A sample of eighty respondents was selected through the simple random procedure using a table of random numbers. A comprehensive interview schedule consisting of mainly closed-ended questions soliciting information on (i) family of the respondent client/patient, (ii) the influence of friends on his/her behaviour, (iii) relation to work, (iv) the type and extent of professional help received by the client/patient, and (v) the respondent's feelings about his condition was also used. The data obtained was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The findings indicated that there were more male alcoholics and alcohol abusers compared to females. The majority of the client/patient respondents were relatively young. below the age of forty years. They were mainly the minimally or lower educated people. Many of them were either married or had been married- The majority had, of course, lost their employment, or had been unemployed for a long time. The problem of alcohol abuse and alcoholics is complicated both for the client/patient, his family his/her immediate social and work environment. The response of treatment programmes both at in-patient and out-patient levels had not produced the desired results. Co-ordination of treatment services and a strong functional network of services and support did not appear to be clearly available for these African clients and patients. Culturally related, and sensitive treatment by professionally social workers was not as yet practised. A clear focus on these clients/patients as a special category was not evident. They did not appear to identify with any particular service point or structure as a helping medium for them. A lot still needs to be done to organize and distribute the services for these clients/patients. All the problems cited above receive the recommendation of the study. Further in-depth research on the treatment procedures and programmes for these clients/patients are clearly indicated.

This study investigates the differential treatment efficacy of Experiential Systemic Therapy (ExST) with a comparison treatment called Supported Feedback Therapy (SFT) as it is applied to the problem of alcohol dependency. The inquiry also compares the treatment effectiveness of ExST when offered to the individual alcoholic (ExST-I) and when provided in couples therapy conjoint treatment (ExST-C). An ecological approach to assessment was developed for the investigation. Selfreport questionnaires tapping an array of areas including indices of alcohol use, intrapersonal functioning, couples adjustment, and family characteristics were employed to measure treatment effects from the perspectives of father, mother, and eldest child. Participating families met inclusion criteria including an alcoholic dependent father and a non-alcohol abusing mother in a state of marital distress residing in an intact family situation with at least one child living at home. One hundred and fourteen families were randomly assigned to participating therapists and one of three treatment conditions including ExST-I, ExST-C,or SFT. Therapy was conducted at two out-patient clinics, one located in an urban setting and the other operating in a rural context. Data were collected from all participating families before and after treatment. Data were also gathered at a three month follow-up from participants in the ExST-I and ExST-C treatment conditions. The results of the mixed model multivariate analyses indicated that there were no significant differences between ExST and SFT evident at post-treatment; however, both treatments were found to have promoted highly significant improvements on measures of drinking behavior, intrapersonal symptomology, marital adjustment and family satisfaction. When ExST-I and ExST-C were compared, the results revealed no significant differences between the treatment formats although both parents reported highly significant post treatment changes on all instruments. Additionally, the significant changes associated with ExST-I and ExST-C which were reported by both parents at post-treatment were found to be equally durable at the end of a three month follow-up. The results of the analyses based on the eldest child’s perspective showed that the assessments of family satisfaction were unaffected by the treatment conditions and remained consistent across all measurement occasions. Within system analyses which provided detailed examination of the magnitude of changes reported by both parents at post-treatment were performed. The within system results based on measures probing the assessment domains of alcohol, intrapersonal, couple and family from the father and mother perspectives, revealed that the improvements achieved by the treatments were far reaching and touched a wide array of areas in statistically significant and clinically relevant fashions.

This study investigates the differential treatment efficacy of Experiential Systemic Therapy (ExST) with a comparison treatment called Supported Feedback Therapy (SFT) as it is applied to the problem of alcohol dependency. The inquiry also compares the treatment effectiveness of ExST when offered to the individual alcoholic (ExST-I) and when provided in couples therapy conjoint treatment (ExST-C). An ecological approach to assessment was developed for the investigation. Selfreport questionnaires tapping an array of areas including indices of alcohol use, intrapersonal functioning, couples adjustment, and family characteristics were employed to measure treatment effects from the perspectives of father, mother, and eldest child. Participating families met inclusion criteria including an alcoholic dependent father and a non-alcohol abusing mother in a state of marital distress residing in an intact family situation with at least one child living at home. One hundred and fourteen families were randomly assigned to participating therapists and one of three treatment conditions including ExST-I, ExST-C,or SFT. Therapy was conducted at two out-patient clinics, one located in an urban setting and the other operating in a rural context. Data were collected from all participating families before and after treatment. Data were also gathered at a three month follow-up from participants in the ExST-I and ExST-C treatment conditions. The results of the mixed model multivariate analyses indicated that there were no significant differences between ExST and SFT evident at post-treatment; however, both treatments were found to have promoted highly significant improvements on measures of drinking behavior, intrapersonal symptomology, marital adjustment and family satisfaction. When ExST-I and ExST-C were compared, the results revealed no significant differences between the treatment formats although both parents reported highly significant post treatment changes on all instruments. Additionally, the significant changes associated with ExST-I and ExST-C which were reported by both parents at post-treatment were found to be equally durable at the end of a three month follow-up. The results of the analyses based on the eldest child’s perspective showed that the assessments of family satisfaction were unaffected by the treatment conditions and remained consistent across all measurement occasions. Within system analyses which provided detailed examination of the magnitude of changes reported by both parents at post-treatment were performed. The within system results based on measures probing the assessment domains of alcohol, intrapersonal, couple and family from the father and mother perspectives, revealed that the improvements achieved by the treatments were far reaching and touched a wide array of areas in statistically significant and clinically relevant fashions. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

Culture plays a significant role in defining how alcohol is consumed and in determining the attitudes of the nonconsuming population toward the consumer. While the mechanics of the relationship between alcohol consumption and culture have been extensively investigated in the industrialized world, there is a paucity of studies concerning developing nations. This study contributes to available data by examining in detail alcohol consumption within one North Indian caste group, the Rajputs. The Rajputs have played a unique role in Indian history, first as conquering invaders and later as martial rulers sworn to defend Hindu India. In the subject village, which is over 80 percent Rajput, they are the principal landholders and control the power structure. A survey of a variety of jatis within the village also confirmed their reputation as heavy drinkers. Investigation of the Rajput in relation to other jatis revealed significant differences in childrearing practices, family structure, marriage, religiosity and sex role differentiation between the two groups. This was seen to result in a different basic personality being evident in Rajputs and non-Rajputs. The Rajputs' ongoing ties to their marital past were found to dictate that Rajput males express their martiality by repressing a broad range of intense emotions, including fear, loneliness and despair, and that they restrict the expression of intimacy in personal relationships. Family life, childrearing, marriage and sexual relationships were all subordinated to this overriding concern. Alcohol plays a crucial role in this cultural scheme in that it is viewed as a culturally-sanctioned "escape valve," its consumption resulting in "disinhibiting" behavior not usually associated with the stoic Rajput personality. Evidence of this assigned role was seen in the high associations of alcohol consumption with the release of violence and sexual passions and its function as a social lubricant providing the means for the individual Rajput to function in social situations in which he feels uncomfortable. The sociocultural roles assigned to the consumption of alcohol in Rajput culture were found to bear a striking resemblance to those found in North American culture, specifically in the United States.

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No description available.

The purpose of the study was to test for theoretic trends of guilt' shame (quadratic) and defensiveness (linear) across treatment for alcoholic patients. The study sample consisted of91 participants. These included adult males who were in either outpatient or inpatient treatment for alcoholism.All participants were administered a questionnaire comprised of guilt, shame, and defensiveness measures. The questionnaires also asked self rating questions as a measure of progress and had a therapist section for progress ratings. Three null hypotheses were tested using trend analysis. Two way analyses of variances were also used to examine progress variables.ResultsIt was hypothesized that guilt and shame would demonstrate quadratic relationships across treatment and that defensiveness would demonstrate a linear relationship. None of the trend 2analyses demonstrated the expected relationships. The post-hoc two-way analyses of differences in guilt, shame, and defensiveness as a function of both weeks-in-treatment and progress measures yielded few significant results.Conclusions The results of this study do not support some of the major premises concerning treatment of the alcoholic patient. Research needs include operationally defining treatment approaches and refining concepts and measures. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

This study was designed to investigate risk factors for resumption of alcohol use during the early period following treatment. Specifically, the influence of cognitions, stressful life events, subjective appraisal of stress, expectancies about alcohol use, and personal coping responses was explored.

M.A. (Social Work) / PROBLEM STATEMENT Although there is no lack of literature and research findings regarding alcoholism, very little research has been done about social workers rendering therapeutic services to alcoholics. This study focused on certain aspects about social workers dealing with alcoholics in order to provide a clearer picture about :- • their motivation for rendering therapeutic services to alcoholics despite the apparent poor prognosis and high relapse statistics of alcoholics; • their level of general contentment and social functioning; and • their personality traits/characteristics. Only social workers in possession of an appropriate qualification, and who have been working with alcoholics for at least two (2) years, took part in the study. The results of this study can be used for future screening and training of social workers rendering therapeutic services to alcoholics. Comparative or exploratory studies on concepts such as the job satisfaction and effectiveness of these social workers, can also be undertaken. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to investigate the level of general contentment, social functioning and personality traits of social workers rendering therapeutic services to alcoholics, by using the following measurement scales :- * the Hudson scale for the measurement of general contentment; * the Heimler scale for the measurement of social functioning; * the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire for the assessment of personality traits. With this goal in mind the following objectives were set for the study :- * the exploring of concepts from the literature; * the administration of the selected measurement scales to the sampling group; * the analyzing of data with the intent to gain insight and knowledge about these social workers. RESEARCH DESIGN Exploratory research by means of quantitative methods of data wereundertaken in this study. Structured measurement scales were used to measure the level of general contentment, social functioning an personality traits of social workers rendering therapeutic services to alcoholics. An availability sampling or sometimes called accidental sampling method was used where twenty five (25) social workers, who were willing to participate in the study, were included.

The Office of Programs for Alcohol and Drug Problems is the designated "Single State Authority" for the planning and development of alcohol and drug programs. It is within the State Mental Health Division, and is the interface between the Division, the counties, and the federal government with regard to alcohol and drug programs. The Division's Office of Management Support Services (MSS) is charged with the responsibility of developing an evaluation system for programs. This is being done in regard to the needs of programs and decision-makers concerned with programs. The Program Office is now providing input to MSS largely through this practicum paper, and through the involvement of the author with staff of MSS and the Division's Task Force on Evaluation Systems. The goal of the practicum, and the involvement with MSS, which will continue, is to assist in the development of an evaluation system that will enable the Program Office to better perform the tasks of assessing programs, and planning for this further development. While the subject is beyond the scope of this paper, such an evaluation system would be useful to individuals, organizations, and high level decision-makers outside the Program Office. For an evaluation system to be of use to the Program Office (or the other decision makers involved with alcohol and drug programs), it must provide systematic information regarding the extent to which the alcohol and drug service system and elements within it are able to: Identify the problems of potential clientele; Assign or establish goals which clients may realistically be helped to attain; and Provide treatment or services which enable them to reach their goals. Beyond answering process oriented questions such as these, the system must develop information concerning the impact, on the lives of clients, and on the community, of the services. It must provide this feedback in a way that is usable to programs so they may alter approaches to client problems, to the Program Office, and to the hierarchy of government officials responsible for programs.