Socio-emotional factors in alcohol dependence

• Main Authors: Deyashini Lahiri Tikka, Daya Ram, Indu Dubey, Sai Krishna Tikka
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2014-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine
• Subjects: Alcohol dependence; anger; attachment styles; self-esteem; socio-emotional
• Online Access: http://www.ijpm.info/article.asp?issn=0253-7176;year=2014;volume=36;issue=2;spage=153;epage=157;aulast=Tikka

Background: Alcohol-dependent patients are traditionally believed to have insecure attachment styles, higher anger expression, and lower self-esteem. There is a need to study them together. Aim: To understand the relationships amongst various of the socio-emotional factors. Materials and Methods: Forty male patients with Alcohol dependence syndrome and 40 matched healthy controls (General Health Questionnaire-12 score <3) were compared on attachment styles (on Relationship Scale Questionnaire), anger domains (on State Trait Anger Expression Inventory), and self-esteem (on Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale). Statistics and Analysis: Comparison using independent samples t test and chi square test; correlation using Pearson′s correlation coefficient. Results: Patients had significantly higher anger expression, ′anger in′ and ′anger out,′ and lower self-esteem than healthy controls. Severity of alcohol dependence had significant correlation with ′anger out,′ and self-esteem had significant negative correlation with anger expression. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the socio-emotional factors studied are developmentally linked to each other.