Reports results of a two-part study designed to extend training in cognitive interpersonal problem solving to an adult alcoholic population. Treatment subjects made greater improvement on problem-solving thinking than controls. Responses in discharge interviews demonstrated that treatment subjects were more likely to anticipate and plan ahead for…

It is suggested that models of human problem solving are useful in the analysis of word fluency (WF) test performance. In problem-solving terms, WF tasks would require the subject to define and clarify the conditions of the task (task acquisition), select and employ appropriate strategies, and monitor one's performance. In modern neuropsychology,…

An attempt is made to determine whether a behaviorally-oriented conditioning approach, "covert sensitization," is more effective in the treatment of alcoholism than the commonly used problem-solving approach, and whether female counselors employing covert sensitization were more successful than males. Thirty-two subjects selected on…

Findings indicate that wives attempt to treat husbands' alcoholism at home long before they seek professional help. Wives' strategies reflect their changing beliefs about alcoholism, about their marital relationships, and about their failure to cope. Home treatment strategies of amelioration under stress contribute to the stress as well.…

Observed adolescent offspring (n=121) of alcoholic, depressed, and nondistressed fathers during problem-solving discussions with fathers, mothers, and both parents together. Found that nondistressed father-child dyads differed from clinical samples in showing higher rates of congeniality and problem solving, whereas impact of alcohol consumption…

An attempt was made to determine whether a behaviorally oriented conditioning approach, "covert sensitization," is more effective in the treatment of alcoholism than the commonly used problem-solving approach; and whether female counselors employing covert sensitization are more successful than males. Appropriate statistical analysis of…

A structured approach to group therapy was added to an alcoholic treatment program previously offering only unstructured insight-oriented groups. Participants in the interpersonal problem-solving group therapy were generally very active in all sessions. Participants reported actively utilizing their learning after leaving the treatment program, a…

Evaluated short-term skill-training intervention that taught male alcoholics generation of appropriate behaviors in problematic situations. Verbal role-playing measures of responses to situations associated with drinking behavior and relapse showed significant performance improvement of training groups. Posttreatment follow-up indicated that skill…

Administered problem-solving appraisal inventories to Veterans Administration inpatient recovering male alcoholics (N=45) to generalize problem-solving appraisal research beyond normal population to clinical population. Results suggest that problem-solving appraisal of inpatient male alcoholics is more similar to late adolescents than to adults.…

Examined performance of female alcoholics, recovered alcoholics, and controls on the Brain-Age Quotient (BAQ) and subtests. The mean BAQs of the alcoholics and recovered alcoholics were significantly lower than that of the controls. Results suggest a differential recovery of cognitive abilities in abstinent female alcoholics. (Author)

Compared 40 adult children of alcoholics (ACAs) to 40 non-ACAs on problem-solving appraisal, perceived social support, shame, suicidal ideation, and substance use; examined gender differences among ACAs; explored relations between problem-solving appraisal, perceived social support, and shame in predicting suicidal ideation and substance use. ACAs…

Discusses how to use literature to help children of alcoholics. Provides a list of appropriate books. (FL)

The family is the basic physical and emotional support system in American society. Dysfunction of a family member may reflect family dysfunction and certainly affects the well-being of other family members. Disturbances in the mother can have profound effects on family functioning and child development, as mothers bear most of the responsibility…

Information about the neuropsychological consequences of alcoholism has been mostly limited to the cognitive functioning of recently detoxified alcoholic men. To expand this research, the long-term recovery of cognitive abilities in alcoholic women was examined in two studies. In the first study, neuropsychological performances were compared for…

Histories of alcohol use and of alcohol education indicate that the teaching of responsible drinking for those who choose to drink is a more relevant model of alcohol education. (JN)