Determinants of relapse among alcoholics: a cross-cultural replication study. 1984

C Sandahl

This study reports on a replication of Marlatt and Gordon's (1980) findings concerning relapse determinants among alcoholics. It was undertaken in a somewhat different drinking culture (Sweden) and with a group of alcoholics also containing patients relapsing after a longer period of abstinence than those in the Marlatt and Gordon study. The difference in drinking culture is reflected in the finding that most subjects in this study took their first drink at home. The group studied by Marlatt and Gordon in Seattle most frequently started to drink in a bar or restaurant. In spite of the differences between the groups, we arrive at a similar picture when it comes to the distribution of relapse determinants according to the model proposed by Marlatt and Gordon. The categories not only have face validity but also construct validity, reflected in meaningful correlations with results on an intelligence test and a personality inventory. A descriptive analysis shows that subjects with poorer results on the intelligence test and having a high tendency to muscle tension and somatized anxiety tended to relapse in intrapersonal situations. Patients who do not readily adjust to other persons' opinions relapsed in interpersonal conflicts, and patients who are more impulsive could not resist social pressure to drink.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007398 Interpersonal Relations The reciprocal interaction of two or more persons. Social Relationships,Husband-Wife Communication,Partner Communication,Communication, Husband-Wife,Communication, Partner,Husband Wife Communication,Husband-Wife Communications,Interpersonal Relation,Partner Communications,Relation, Interpersonal,Relationship, Social,Social Relationship
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010556 Personality Tests Standardized objective tests designed to facilitate the evaluation of personality. Personality Test,Test, Personality,Tests, Personality
D012008 Recurrence The return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission. Recrudescence,Relapse,Recrudescences,Recurrences,Relapses
D003431 Cross-Cultural Comparison Comparison of various psychological, sociological, or cultural factors in order to assess the similarities or diversities occurring in two or more different cultures or societies. Transcultural Studies,Comparison, Cross-Cultural,Comparisons, Cross-Cultural,Cross Cultural Comparison,Cross-Cultural Comparisons,Studies, Transcultural,Study, Transcultural,Transcultural Study
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly

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