Internal-external control and withdrawal AMA from an alcohol rehabilitation program

Male and female alcoholics who were participating in an in-patient rehabilitation program were given the Rotter internal-external control scale in order to determine whether there were differences between those who leave against medical advice vs. those who complete treatment. It was anticipated that AMA patients would have significantly higher scores than completers. The hypothesis was given some support for males (p less than .06) and was not supported for females. Males and younger patients also were more inclined to leave against medical advice.