Objective Psychological Measurement and Alcoholism: Survey of the Literature 1974

Abstract

This survey is the third in a series examining objective psychological test data or behavioral measurements on alcoholics published in the United States during a specific year. The 131 articles published in 1974 are divided into two broad categories, treatment orientation and behavior and attitudes of alcoholics. Findings are further divided into subcategories, briefly described, and cross indexed. The resum6 and conclusion section includes ' references to current findings. CONlTNTS Treatment Orientation 52Behavior and Attitudes of Alcoholics . . 56 Resume and Conclusions 60 References 61 Appendix I 66 Appendix I1 67 Appendix I11 68This article is the third in a series of surveys designed to provide a concise statement of objective findings on alcoholism as a stimulus for research and an aid in clinical practice. The survey of the literature in 1974 is less detailed and has been divided into different topical sections than used previously (58, 59). This change was dictated by the nature of objective information about alcoholic Americans located in U.S. journals. Many of the 133 articles surveyed could be considered demographic in nature, and fewer articles contained tests of statistical -- significance.Objective information has been divided into two major categories: treatment orientation and behavior and attitudes of alcoholics. Treatment orientation includes: identification, admission to treatment, treatment, treatment outcome, morbidity, and attitudes toward alcoholics. Behavior and attitudes of alcoholics includes: response bias, women, minority groups, behavioral studies, verbal learning and interrelationships among variables. References and cross-references follow each sub-title.Differences reported in the text were significant at the .05 level of confidence or better. When statistical differences were not calculated by the authors, differences reported were of sufficient magnitude to warrant consideration by those interested in the given topic. Two appendices give references to reviews of the literature in 1974 and to objective information about student populations. 'Request reprints from W. J. Knox, Staff Psychologist, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Biloxi, Mississippi 39531. This research was supported by the VA Medical Research Service.