A self-control program for drinking antecedents: the role of self-monitoring and control orientation

Assessed the effects of a self-control program on increasing personal control and ameliorating alcohol abuse. Ss attended two groups per week for 3 weeks and were administered the Experienced Control scale (Tiffany, 1967) before and after treatment and on follow-up. All Ss showed increased control over internal stresses across treatment. Internally oriented Ss in the experimental group showed increased control over external stresses, while internals in the control condition showed no change. Self-monitoring externals did not change over treatment, but increased significantly over follow-up. Control externals changed over treatment, but not on follow-up. Internally oriented Ss both monitored frequently and appeared to benefit from the use of self-monitoring of drinking antecedents. Externals showed more indefinite results, as self-monitoring Sc evidenced a slower, somewhat "delayed" increase in adaptive self-control when compared to self-monitoring internals.