Related Experiment Videos
Future time perspective in alcoholics, process and reactive schizophrenics, and normals
The International Journal of the Addictions
|November 1, 1985
Summary
Alcoholics exhibit temporary future time perspective deficits, showing greater future density and coherence than schizophrenics and normals. These findings support long-term treatment goals for individuals with alcoholism.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Future time perspective (FTP) is crucial for cognitive and behavioral functioning.
- Deficits in FTP are observed in various psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia and alcoholism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare FTP in alcoholics, process schizophrenics, reactive schizophrenics, and hospitalized medical patients (normals).
- To analyze FTP using Kastenbaum's model, focusing on future extension, coherence, density, and directionality.
Main Methods:
- Four groups of 24 subjects each were assessed.
- Measures included future extension, coherence, density, and directionality.
- Kastenbaum's model of future time perspective was utilized.
Main Results:
- Process and reactive schizophrenics differed in future coherence, with reactives being more coherent.
- Alcoholics and normals demonstrated greater future extension than both schizophrenic groups.
- Alcoholics showed significantly greater future density and coherence than normals and schizophrenics, potentially due to sampling and situational factors.
Conclusions:
- Future time perspective deficits in alcoholics appear to be temporary.
- Long-range treatment goals are appropriate for alcoholics, considering their FTP.
- FTP impairments in schizophrenia vary between process and reactive subtypes.