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Attributional styles of alcoholics
The International Journal of the Addictions
|April 1, 1986
Summary
Individuals in alcohol treatment exhibit distinct attributional styles compared to non-alcoholics and those in recovery. These differences in attributing good outcomes globally and stably may inform future addiction research and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Addiction Studies
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Background:
- Attributional style is a key cognitive factor influencing mental health and behavior.
- Understanding cognitive differences in individuals with alcohol use disorder is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in attributional styles between alcoholics in treatment, non-alcoholics, and recovering alcoholics with sustained sobriety.
- To identify specific cognitive patterns associated with active alcohol dependence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ) to assess cognitive patterns.
- Compared attributional styles across three distinct groups: individuals currently in alcohol treatment, non-alcoholic controls, and individuals in recovery with at least one year of sobriety.
Main Results:
- Alcoholics in treatment significantly differed from non-alcoholics and recovering individuals on two ASQ subscales.
- These significant differences were observed in the 'good outcomes-global' and 'good outcomes-stable' dimensions, indicating distinct ways of explaining positive events.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive attributional styles, particularly regarding positive outcomes, differentiate individuals actively undergoing alcohol treatment from those not affected by alcoholism or those in long-term recovery.
- Findings suggest potential targets for cognitive-behavioral interventions in addiction treatment.