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Interpersonal problem-solving in male and female alcoholics
S J Nixon1, R Tivis, O A Parsons
1Oklahoma Center for Alcohol and Drug Related Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City 73104.
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|August 1, 1992
Summary
Individuals with alcoholism demonstrate deficits in typical interpersonal problem-solving skills compared to controls. However, self-efficacy and optimal response strategies do not explain this impairment, suggesting unique challenges in social functioning for alcoholics.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Alcoholism is associated with cognitive impairments.
- Interpersonal problem-solving is crucial for social functioning and recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare interpersonal problem-solving skills between individuals with alcoholism and community controls.
- To investigate the role of self-efficacy and response strategies in alcoholic deficits.
Main Methods:
- The Adaptive Skills Battery (ASB) was administered to assess typical and optimal problem-solving responses.
- Participants included male and female alcoholics and community controls.
- Correlational analyses examined relationships with self-efficacy and depression.
Main Results:
- Alcoholics performed significantly worse than controls on typical problem-solving responses.
- No significant differences were found in optimal problem-solving responses between groups.
- Female participants outperformed males in optimal response conditions.
- Self-efficacy did not mediate the observed deficits.
Conclusions:
- Alcoholism is linked to deficits in typical interpersonal problem-solving, independent of self-efficacy.
- The ASB measures distinct aspects of problem-solving potentially relevant to alcoholism.
- Further research into depression's role in alcoholic performance is warranted.