This study evaluated the residential alcoholism treatment program located in the Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee, Florida. The study utilized a pretest, posttest design and intensively followed 10 alcoholics through the treatment program and for six months after treatment. Seventy percent of the alcoholics studied remained sober for a period of six months, but the result fell short of the 80% standard established by the program, so the program was not considered successful. Along with the program evaluation, and utilizing the same research design, other variables were studied. Depression, hopelessness, assertiveness, and defense mechanism preference were researched in an effort to determine what role, if any, they play in an alcoholic's efforts at remaining sober after treatment. Levels of depression were found to be significantly lower for treatment successes. It was impossible however to discern from this study whether or not elevated levels of depression were a product or a cause of the drinking behavior. Levels of hopelessness were significantly reduced by the treatment process. The study suggested though that very low levels of hopelessness are associated with an alcoholic's returning to the consumption of alcohol. Measurements done in the area of assertiveness yielded no statistically significant results. It was observed, however, that alcoholics appear to become less assertive after they start drinking, rather than before they start drinking. The study produced a significant difference in the area of defense mechanism preference as treatment successes had significantly lower levels of denial at discharge than did treatment failures. Also, the study implied that with certain types of preferred defense mechanisms, the maintenance rather than the alteration of that mechanism might be more beneficial to the alcoholic trying to / maintain sobriety. Implications for practical application of the results and suggestions for further research are made. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 42-05, Section: A, page: 2300. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1981.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74456 |
| Contributors | SENESAC, RICHARD MICHAEL., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 223 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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