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Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 40-44)

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Rowan University, 2009. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Florida, 1982. / Description based on print version record. Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-111).

The main purpose of this study was to examine, in the natural environment, the relative effects of positive reinforcement and response cost as an adjunct to traditional group counseling in the treatment of substance abusers. While these procedures have been repeatedly reported to be effective in controlled settings, little evidence exists that the results generalize to the natural setting. Further, there is a dearth of research which compares contingency contracting to other modalities in the natural setting. Therefore, a second purpose of this research was to compare the effects of contingency contracting as an adjunct to traditional group counseling versus traditional group counseling alone.Subjects for this study were 45 male enlisted soldiers who were diagnosed as alcohol or drug abusers and were enrolled in an Army Community Drug and Alcohol Assistance Center (CDAAC). Of the subjects, 25 were alcohol abusers and 20 were drug abusers. The mean age was 23 years and the median rank was E4. They were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment conditions.The counselors were six paraprofessional military members of the CDAAC staff. They were given five one-hour training sessions by the experimenter on the use of contingency contracting and reinforcement procedures. They were then randomly assigned to the treatment conditions. All subjects received traditional group counseling. Additionally, subjects in Treatment Condition1 received tokens for, carrying out the contingencies of a two-part weekly contract. Subjects in Treatment Condition 2 received the total possible number of tokens at the onset of treatment and forfeited tokens each week if the contingencies of the contract were not met. Tokens were exchanged at the end of treatment for rewards previously negotiated with each subject. Subjectsin Treatment Condition 3 did no contracting and received no tokens.The dependent variables in this study were the subject's level of depression and hostility. These were measured by the Self-Rating Depression Scale and the Buss-Durkee Inventory, respectively. A counterbalanced pretest-posttest design was used. The instruments were administered in a classroom in the CDAAC to all subjects prior to the first group session and again after the sixth session. The posttest instruments were administered in the reverse order from the pretest.The statistical analyses were accomplished using a one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The analysis of the data revealed no statistical differences between contingency contracting with positive reinforcement or contingency contracting with response cost. Further, there were no differences between contingency contracting as an adjunct to traditional group counseling and group counseling alone.The failure to find significant differences between the groups suggests that contingency contracting may not be a viable therapeutic tool in out-patient settings where the counselor does not have control over all potential reinforcers or where the clients may not have a substantial investment in the reinforcement. If the technique is only successful with highly motivated, voluntary clients, it may be no more effective than the contingencies implicit in other counseling relationships. If the effects of in-patient token economies do not generalize to the natural setting and if these procedures require unrealisitic controls when administered in out-patient settings, the previously reported positive results may have little practical value. Further research should be conducted which compares the effects of contingency contracting to other treatment modalities.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-81).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 254-271). Also available via the Internet.

D.Litt. et Phil. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

D.Phil. (Social Work) / The treatment of out-patient alcoholics has thus far commanded little research attention in South Africa. The present investigation alms to provide a profile of the characteristics both of clients who approach out-patient clinics for help and of those who render service in this field. Additionally, an attempt is made to delineate the nature of treatment received by outpatient alcoholics and to link any subsequent relapse to aspects of such treatment and to characteristics which they evidence. In this way characteristics of clients which may be indicative of favourable prognosis as well as specific components of treatment which may promote rehabilitation are identified. All 390 alcoholic clients who approached the 26 out-patient clinics in South Africa for help during 1st April to 30th June 1981 inclusive, comprise the research universe. To each of these clients an interview schedule was administered by professional staff members at the various clinics in order to obtain i~formation pertaining to major client characteristics. Such staff members, by means of a standardised check list, also monitored the nature of treatment received by each client in the investigation. The relapse of clients was ascertained by the researcher personally tracing their readmission at any in- or out-patient clinic in South Africa within one year of their individual dates of discharge from clinics where they were drawn for inclusion in the investigation. In order to identify the major characteristics of staff members, especially those pertaining to their employment at the various clinics, the researcher personally administered an interview schedule to each of the 84 professionals who comprise the staff research universe. These staff members were directly involved in rendering service to the 390 out-patient clients during the course of their formal treatment periods.