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Biomedical subjects

D M Donovan

Publications and source records attributed to D M Donovan.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Cognitive impairment and treatment outcome with alcoholics: preliminary findings.

The relationship of cognitive impairment to treatment outcome in a sample of male alcoholics (N = 30) was explored. The Brain-Age Quotient (BAQ), an index of problem solving and adaptive abilities based on a battery of neuropsychological tests, was used as the summary measure of cognitive impairment. High BAQ scores were found to be more highly related to clinical ratings of patients' level of functioning on the treatment ward, to the successful completion of inpatient treatment, and to fewer relapses, longer abstinence periods, and lower rates of alcohol consumption at a 1 year follow-up than were lower BAQ scores. The implications of these findings with regard to appropriate treatment planning are discussed.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1978

Alcoholic MMPI subtypes. Relationship to drinking styles, benefits, and consequences.

The present study was designed, first, to attempt to replicate the previously derived Goldstein and Linden Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory alcoholic personality subtypes, and second, to relate these personality patterns to a multidimensional measure of alcohol usage. Two of the previously obtained profile types were replicated through two independent cluster analytic procedures. These subtypes were defined as psychopathic and neurotic-depressive, respectively. Higher levels of drinking-related impairment were associated with anxiety and depression, while lower levels of impairment were related to psychopathic features among patients hospitalized primarily for alcoholism. However, relatively heterogeneous, distinctive configurations of reported drinking benefits, styles, and consequences were found across the Goldstein-Linden subtypes. Methodological factors potentially contributing to the failure to replicate two of the previously derived subtypes were discussed. The potential therapeutic utility of a multivariate classification of personality functioning and the use of a multidimensional assessment of alcohol usage within alcoholic populations was also discussed.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1977

Perceived locus of control experienced control and depression: a trait description of the learned helplessness model of depression.

This study examined a personality-trait approach to the learned helplessness model of depression. Alcoholics were assigned to four groups based upon differential scores on Rotter's Locus of Control and Tiffany's Experienced Control Scales. Analysis of scores on the Beck Depression Inventory and the MMPI D scale indicated that Ss who reported that they had experienced minimal control over stressful events were significantly more depressed than Ss who reported relatively high levels of control. No significant locus of control effect was found. A significant interaction was obtained, which indicated that those Ss with an external locus of control and who experienced minimal control were significantly more depressed than thtical and empirical similarity between the present results and the learned helplessness model are discussed.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1977

Perceived locus of control as a function of level of depression among alcoholics and nonalcoholics.

This study investigated perceived locus of control as a function of level of depression among 39 alcoholics and 39 matched nonalcoholic controls. Ss completed the Rotter I-E scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. Initial analyses of variance indicated a lack of difference between groups on the I-E scale; however, alcoholics were significantly more depressed than were controls. A correlational analysis indicated a significant relationship between an external locus of control and higher levels of depression. When level of depression was controlled statistically, an alalysis of covariance indicated that the alcoholic samples was significantly more internal than the nonalcoholics. These data tend to cross-validate Lamont's (1972) findings of an item-mood response bias in the I-E scale. These data further support the contention that caution must be used in interpreting comparative locus of control results derived from samples that have differential base rates of depression.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1977

The relationship of perceptual field orientation to measures of cognitive functioning and current adaptive abilities in alcoholics and nonalcoholics.

The present study investigated the influence of perceptual field orientation, as measured by the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT), on cognitive functioning among alcoholics and nonalcoholics. The subjects were classified as field dependent, intermediate, or field independent based upon their GEFT scores. Cognitive function was assessed by the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale as well as the Category Test. Tactual Performance Test, and Trail Making Tests of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery. Three primary findings emerged. First, the alcoholics appeared to be significantly impaired on measures of abstraction, problem solving, and adaptive abilities relative to nonalcoholics. Second, a direct relationship was found between GEFT scores and level of cognitive function within both alcoholic and nonalcoholic samples, with field-dependent subjects evidencing the most impaired performance. Third, the level of perceptual field orientation accounted for a large portion of the variance between the alcoholic and nonalcoholic samples, with field-independent alcoholics performing at a level comparable to or greater than other nonalcoholic subroups on a number of the cognitive variables. These results provide validational support for the GEFT and indicate that field orientation may be a relevant variable in the assessment of cognitive function in both alcoholics and nonalcoholics.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1977

Defensive style in alcoholics and nonalcoholics.

After testing with the Controlled Repression-Sensitization Scale, 38 alcoholics were found to place greater reliance on sensitizing defenses than nonalcoholics. A test of the Defense Mechanism Inventory found no differences between alcoholics and controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Relationship between distortions in self-perception of depression and psychopathology.

The present study investigated the relationship between distortions in self-perceived depression and generalized psychopathology. Alcoholic inpatients were asked to choose the more depressed patient in each pair of a paired-comparison rating task. Patients also were administered the Beck Depression Inventory as an objective measure of depression and the MMPI as a measure of overall psychopathology. Individuals who had a marked discrepancy between their self-perceived and objectively measured level of depression had significant elevations (T-score greater than 70) on 5 of the 10 MMPI clinical scales. The High Distortion group, whose mean MMPI profile was categorized as psychiatric, appeared to be more depressed, anxious, socially immature and alienated and to have increased difficulties in thinking and communication than Ss in the Low Distortion group. These findings substantiate the hypothesis that an individual's inability to perceive accurately the level of his depression is related to a greater degree of overall psychopathology.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Personality characteristics related to treatment decisions among inpatient alcoholics: a non-relationship.

A battery of standard personality and experimental research scales was administered to 110 male alcoholic inpatients. No differences were found on the 30 scale scores derived from the tests among three groups with differential treatment dispositions: (1) those who discontinued treatment after a 2-week evaluation period; (2) those who chose to remain for a 60-day treatment program, but discontinued prior to completion; and (3) those who chose and did complete the 60-day program. It was suggested that attrition from an inpatient alcoholism program might be predicted better by a multivariate approach that used demographic, life history, psychosocial and personality variables as predictors.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1976

Changes in perceived and experienced control among inpatient alcoholics.

The Locus of Control and Experienced Control Scales were administered to 40 alcoholics shortly after admission to a rehabilitation program and again after approximately 6 weeks of treatment. During the course of treatment, the Ss evidenced an overall shift toward a more internal locus of control, an increase in the magnitude and relative degree of control experienced over interpersonal and intrapersonal pressures, and a decrease in the magnitude of control exerted on them by such pressures. The overall increase in the proportionate control experienced appeared to be accounted for by shifts made by those Ss who entered treatment with an initially internal locus of control.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1976

Relationship between psychopathology, experienced control and perceived locus of control: in search of alcoholic subtypes.

Alcoholic Ss were categorized into four subtypes based upon differential levels of perceived locus of control and experienced control. The relationship between generalized psychopathology, as measured by the MMPI, and subtype classification was investigated. Alcoholics with an internal locus of control and high levels of experienced control exhibited the least psychopathology. The greatest degree of psychopathology was found among Ss with an external locus of control and minimal levels of experienced control. The implications of these results with respect to psychosocial functioning and drinking behavior among alcoholic subgroups were discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Group embedded figures test performance as a predictor of cognitive impairment among alcoholics.

The present study investigated the sensitivity of the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) as a predictor of cognitive impairment among alcoholics. The GEFT, Shipley-Hartford, and Memory-for-Designs tests were administered to 90 male alcoholics. GEFT performance correlated significantly with measures of impairment even when the influence of age and education were controlled. Field-dependent Ss performed at a significantly more impaired level on measures of abstract reasoning, perceptual-motor function, and short-term visual-spatial memory when compared with intermediate and field independent Ss; no differences were found among groups on general verbal ability. The results suggest that the GEFT might profitably be included in screening batteries for impaired cognitive function.

Age Factors↗