title: Locus of control, life events and treatment outcome in alcohol dependent patients.
abstract: We investigated the relationship of locus of control and life events to outcome of treatment at 6 months in 67 patients with alcohol dependence. Outcome was less favourable in patients with pre-treatment scores indicating external locus of control than in those with internal locus of control. Furthermore, patients with relapse in the follow-up period experienced more independent life events with moderate to severe objective negative impact than those with more favourable outcome. These results suggest that locus of control may be of clinical use in formulating treatment and prognosis, and that the occurrence of life events may influence outcome. The results are discussed in relation to strategies for treatment and prevention of relapse.
authors.affiliation: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research and Treatment Service, Dolo General Hospital, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Canton
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Magni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bertinaria
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cibin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallimberti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence