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Interpersonal style differences among drug abusers
D A Calsyn1, D K Roszell, L S Anderson
1Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Center, Washington.
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|September 1, 1988
Summary
This study found that male veteran drug abusers often exhibit interpersonal styles described as "loners," "rebels," and "pessimists." These findings highlight commonalities and differences in social interactions among this population.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Science
Background:
- Interpersonal styles significantly influence social interactions and well-being.
- Understanding these styles in specific populations, like drug abusers, is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore interpersonal style differences among male veteran drug abusers.
- To examine the construct validity of Ryan's typological system for interpreting the FIRO-B (Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior) instrument.
Main Methods:
- Administered the FIRO-B, psychological tests, and a structured interview to 111 male veteran drug abusers.
- Utilized Ryan's (1977) typological system for FIRO-B interpretation.
- Compared subtypes based on expressed and wanted scores across inclusion, control, and affection dimensions.
Main Results:
- Drug abusers were more frequently categorized as "loners," "rebels," and "pessimists" compared to the general population.
- Analyses supported the construct validity of Ryan's schema, aligning with FIRO theory.
- Identified commonalities and heterogeneity in interpersonal styles within the drug abuser sample.
Conclusions:
- Ryan's typological schema effectively characterizes interpersonal styles in male veteran drug abusers.
- The findings contribute to understanding the diverse interpersonal orientations within this population.
- Supports the utility of the FIRO-B and Ryan's interpretation for clinical and research applications.